risk for heart failure, but it was unclear how late menopause affected heart failure risk.
To find out, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 4,500 older U.S. women in a long-term study. The participants were assessed for heart disease after an average follow-up of 16.5 years, when they were nearly 64 on average. During the follow-up period, about 900 developed heart failure that resulted in either hospitalization or death.
The researchers found significant associations between heart failure risk and age at menopause, body mass index (an estimate of body fat based on weight and height known as BMI) and waist circumference.
For every 6-point increase in BMI, the risk of developing heart failure rose 39% for the women in the early menopause group, 33% for those who experienced menopause between 45 and 49, and doubled in the late menopause group.
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Higher BMI was not associated with increased heart failure risk in women who reached menopause between 50 and 54.
Also, for every 6-inch increase in waist circumference, the risk of developing heart failure almost tripled among women in the late menopause group.
Waist circumference did not significantly raise the risk of heart failure for women in the other menopausal age groups, according to the study.
The findings may be helpful when screening postmenopausal women for heart failure and counseling them about prevention, according to Ebong.
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“A woman’s age when she enters menopause is an important factor, and women should share this information with their physicians to guide in estimating their risk of developing heart failure,” Ebong shares.
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Combatting obesity
Waist circumference is the measurement of your waist, just above your navel. It is a good predictor of abdominal fat, a risk factor for heart disease. This risk for heart disease increases with a waist measurement of over 40 inches in men and over 35 inches in women. If you are overweight or obese and have two or more risk factors for heart disease, it is important to lose weight. Even a small decrease in weight can lower your risk of developing heart disease. Talk to your doctor about measurements you can take to lose weight.
