Heart failure linked to early menopause

EARLY menopause is linked to a higher risk of heart failure, according to a study of 1.4million women.

Women who have their final menstrual cycle before the age of 40 – the definition of premature menopause – were 33 per cent more likely to suffer new-onset heart failure.

They were also 9 per cent more likely to experience atrial fibrillation – a condition that causes an irregular and fast heart rate, researchers at the European Society of Cardiology found.

Those experiencing menopause between the ages of 45 and 49 had an 11 per cent chance of heart failure, which rose to 39 per cent in those who were under 40.

In the same age brackets, there was a four per cent risk of atrial fibrillation increasing to 11 per cent in under 40s.

Researchers say that the trend could be due to premenopausal women benefiting from oestrogen’s protective effect on the cardiovascular system.

A reduction in the hormone is thought to leave women vulnerable at a time when body fat composition and distribution is changing, increasing the risk of heart problems.

Cardiovascular disease typically occurs in men 10 years before women.

However, study author Dr Ga Eun Nam, of Korea University College of Medicine, said: “The misconception that heart disease primarily affects men has meant that sex-specific risk factors have been largely ignored.

“Our study indicates that reproductive history should be routinely considered in addition to traditional risk factors such as smoking when evaluating the likelihood of heart failure.

“Women with premature menopause should be aware that they may be more likely to develop heart failure or atrial fibrillation than their peers, This may be good motivation to improve lifestyle habits known to be linked with heart disease.” The findings were published in the European Heart Journal.