Menopause and cardiovascular disease

Menopause is an independent risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease. Common cardiovascular diseases in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women include atherosclerosis (coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, etc.), stroke, hypertension, and arrhythmias. Compared with men of the same age group, premenopausal women have significantly lower incidence and mortality of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. However, after menopause, the incidence of coronary heart disease in women rises rapidly, approaching the level of men of the same age group after age 60.