Women who experience menopause before the age of 40 may face a significantly increased lifetime risk of heart disease, according to new research published in JAMA Cardiology.
The study found that premature menopause is associated with about a 40 per cent higher risk of coronary heart disease compared with menopause occurring at the typical age.
Researchers analysed data from more than 10,000 postmenopausal women aged 55 to 69 across six long-term U.S. studies conducted between 1964 and 2018. None of the participants had heart disease at the start of the research, and all experienced natural menopause.
Over the follow-up period, more than 1,000 cases of coronary heart disease were recorded, including heart attacks and cardiovascular-related deaths.
After adjusting for key risk factors such as smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, findings showed that early menopause increased heart disease risk by 41 per cent in Black women and 39 per cent in White women.
Lead author Dr Priya Freaney of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine said the findings highlight that menopause timing is not only a reproductive milestone but also a cardiovascular warning sign.
“Menopause timing isn’t just a reproductive issue, it’s also a heart health issue,” she said.
Although women with premature menopause did not necessarily develop heart disease earlier than others, they were more likely to experience it over their lifetime. Researchers suggest this may be linked to the early decline of oestrogen, a hormone known to help protect the heart and blood vessels.
Dr Ryhm Radjef, Director of the Women’s Heart and Cardio-Obstetric Program at Henry Ford Health, added that early menopause may also signal deeper metabolic or inflammatory changes that increase long-term cardiovascular risk.
She noted that women who experience menopause before age 40 may benefit from earlier screening and preventive care, including closer monitoring of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Experts also recommend that women approaching menopause adopt heart-healthy lifestyles, including regular exercise, balanced diets, weight management, avoiding smoking and routine medical check-ups.
The researchers concluded that reproductive history should be considered alongside traditional cardiovascular risk factors when assessing women’s long-term heart health, stressing the importance of early awareness and preventive care.
