Hot Flashes and Cardiovascular Risk: A Matter of Timing?

Early-occurring vasomotor symptoms were associated with lower CV risk, and late symptoms with excess risk.

Most women experience peri- or postmenopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS), although symptom onset and duration vary. To address the relative contributions of early- versus late-onset VMS to risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), investigators analyzed data on VMS, CVD events, and all-cause mortality in 60,000 participants in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (mean age at enrollment, 63.3; mean years since menopause, 14.4; median follow-up, 9.7 years). Women were stratified into four cohorts based on timing of VMS onset: no VMS, early VMS (present at menopause onset but not at study enrollment), persistent VMS (present at both times), or late VMS (not present at menopause onset but present at enrollment). Evaluated outcomes were…

Reviewing Author

Wendy S. Biggs, MD

Hot Flashes and Cardiovascular Risk: A Matter of Timing?

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Reviewing Author