Researchers working with the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) have found that frequent and severe hot flashes may indicate vascular dysfunction – a leading cause of heart disease – in younger midlife women.
"Hot flashes are not just a nuisance. They have been linked to cardiovascular, bone, and brain health. In this study, physiologically measured hot flashes appear linked to cardiovascular changes occurring early during the menopause transition," said Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, executive director of NAMS.
Greater cardiovascular risk
The study tested 272 non-smoking women between the ages of 40 and 60 to investigate the relationship between hot flashes and function of cells lining the blood vessels (endothelial cell function). The researchers found that hot flashes only seemed to affect blood vessel dilation in younger participants (40-54). This indicates that early occurring hot flashes may be the most relevant to heart disease.
The findings could have a significant impact on women’s health. Cardiovascular disease is currently the leading cause of death among women, and more than 70% of all women report experiences of hot flashes, with one-third describing them as “frequent” or “severe.”
“Among younger midlife women, frequent hot flashes were associated with poorer endothelial function and may provide information about women’s vascular status beyond cardiovascular disease risk factors,” the researchers said.
The full study has been published in Menopause.