Menopause and Cardiovascular Diseases
December 17, 2021
Data from the Ministry of Health show that heart attack and stroke (CVA) are the leading causes of death in women over 5
The Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SBC) and the Brazilian Climacteric Association (SOBRAC), in partnership with other medical societies, have joined forces to develop the 1st Brazilian Guideline on the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in Climacteric Women and the Influence of Hormone Replacement Therapy. The launch celebrates World Menopause Day on October 18.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion women will be in menopause by 2030. In Brazil alone, over 13.5 million women are in this phase.
The guideline presents current recommendations for preventing cardiovascular disease risk factors that women face after age 50, in addition to addressing the influence of hormone therapy on cardiovascular health. The document was produced based on the analysis of over 574 national and international scientific documents, published by the medical and scientific community between 1990 and 2007.
The document recommends controlling high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol, quitting smoking, and engaging in regular physical activity. In addition to these recommendations, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and legumes is also listed.
“The work also recognizes that, contrary to some specialists' previous concerns, hormone replacement therapy does not increase the risk of myocardial infarction and can bring benefits to women,” states gynecologist César Eduardo Fernandes, professor at ABC School of Medicine, coordinator of the guideline, and president of SOBRAC's scientific council.
Data from the Ministry of Health show that heart attack and stroke (CVA) are the leading causes of death in women over 50 in Brazil. The hormonal reduction characteristic of menopause causes women to lose estrogenic protection, the main female hormone that helps protect arteries.
“Only 10% of women control cardiovascular risk factors. Most are unaware of the factors or do not control them correctly,” warns cardiologist Otávio Gebara, professor at USP School of Medicine and coordinator of the guideline.
Hormone therapy has well-defined and consensually accepted indications in medical literature as an alternative for relieving climacteric symptoms.
Treatment should not be recommended with the sole purpose of reducing cardiovascular risk; however, recent studies show that therapies with low doses and differentiated (bioidentical) hormones can bring cardiovascular benefits.
Key lifestyle interventions to control risk factors
Smoking: Quitting smoking and, if necessary, using pharmacological therapy or temporary nicotine replacement to achieve this goal.
Physical activity: Performing at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, 3 to 6 days per week.
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