A new study highlights the crucial role a female's age at menopause plays in her vascular function and heart health. Conducted by researchers who measured the brachial artery flow-mediated dilation of 92 females, the study reveals that starting menopause at 55 or older significantly reduces the risk of heart disease. This discovery sheds light on the varying impacts of menopause onset on heart health, a leading cause of death among females in the United States.
The study finds that heart disease affects more than 60 million females across the nation, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Menopause is identified as a significant risk factor for developing heart disease. The age at which menopause begins can either exacerbate or mitigate this risk. Females who experience menopause later, specifically at 55 or older, have a 20% lower likelihood of developing heart disease compared to their counterparts who experience it earlier.
The researchers discovered a marked difference in vascular function between females who started menopause at different ages. The late-onset group exhibited 24% worse vascular function than premenopausal females, while the normal-onset group showed a 51% decline in vascular function. These findings underscore the importance of the timing of menopause in relation to vascular health.
Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, used in the study, measures how well the artery in the upper arm can dilate when blood flow increases. This measurement provides insights into vascular health and potential risks for heart disease. The study confirms that earlier onset of menopause correlates with poorer vascular function and a higher risk of developing heart disease.
The implications of these findings are profound given the prevalence of heart disease among females in the United States. The research suggests that monitoring the age at which menopause begins could be vital for assessing heart disease risk and implementing preventive measures.
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