Women who enter menopause when they are 40 or younger are at an increasingly higher risk of having major heart problems later in life, says a new study. The Korean research, which was published in the European Heart Journal, looked at over 1.4 million women with premature menopause.
It found a startling 33% increased risk of heart failure and 9% higher risk of an irregular heart rhythm compared to women who entered menopause at a normal range. It means the timing of your menopause could be a major indicator when it comes to having heart problems later in life, the Mirror reports.
Other findings from the study included:
- Heart health risks increased as women experienced menopause earlier in life, compared to those who went into menopause after 50.
- Risk of heart failure was 39% higher among women who entered menopause younger than 40, 23% higher for women 40 to 44, and 11% higher for women 45 to 49.
- Risk of atrial fibrillation was 11% higher for women younger than 40, 10% higher for women 40 to 44, and 4% higher for women 45 to 49.
Heart attack symptoms differ between men and women, with women experiencing more shortness of breath and light-headedness compared to men.
Menopause symptoms
Early signs warning of early menopause include:
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex
- Difficulty sleeping
- Low mood or anxiety
- Reduced sex drive (libido)
- Problems with memory and concentration.
Dr Louise Newson from the British Heart Foundation said: "Taking hormones (HRT or the contraceptive pill) up to the natural age of menopause (51 years on average) replaces the hormones that your body would otherwise be producing, and this reduces the risk of heart disease. Taking HRT before the natural age of the menopause is very safe, and helps to protect your bones as well as reducing risk of future heart disease.
“The benefits outweigh the risks."
