The risk for stroke associated with many common medical conditions, such as
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- heart deseases
- diabetes
- but some behaviors like:
- unhealthy diet
- sedentary life (physical inactivity)
- obesity
- excessive consumption of alcohol
Now, new research shows another risk factor, which is more difficult to control.
If you experience menopause before 40, you have an increased risk of stroke
Menopause at a young age could have consequences. A new study, posted on 3 June in Stroke magazine, analyzed the risk of stroke for postmenopausal women.
The researchers followed on 15 about years 16.200 postmenopausal women of 26 to 70 years. They were recorded in total 830 strokes. According to the study, women who experienced menopause before their age 40 they had 1,5 times higher risk for ischemic stroke compared with menopausal women 50-54 years.
"It is extremely important for all women to strive to achieve optimal cardiovascular health before and after menopause., but it is even more important for those women with early menopause ", said the study co-author, dr. Yvonne van der Schouw, Professor at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands.
Stroke: The risk decreases for each year that menopause is delayed
The researchers found that for women over 50 years (that is, close to the average age for the onset of menopause) the risk of stroke was reduced against 2% for each year beyond 50 delayed menopause.
“Changes in endogenous hormones may explain the link between early menopausal age and increased risk of stroke. Early menopause leads to premature reduction of estradiol and this can either have direct disadvantages effects on blood vessels, or increase the risk factors for stroke ", the researchers reported.
About it 5% women experience menopause before their age 40 years
Women are more likely to have a stroke. They generally run 4% higher risk of stroke than men. But early menopause can put women at even greater risk.
About it 5% women have premature menopause before their age 40 years. Early menopause can be caused by a family history, smoking, chemotherapy, pelvic radiation therapies for cancer, as well as from certain health conditions such as autoimmune disease, HIV, AIDS, missing chromosomes, or chronic fatigue syndrome.
If you have not had a period for months, you should talk to your doctor
According to the study, women were considered postmenopausal, when they reported that they had not experienced menstrual bleeding for at least 12 months.
Experts say that You should talk to your doctor if you think you may have reached menopause. He or she can give you a blood test to measure estrogen and other hormones., as well as talk to you about the symptoms of menopause.
Other signs of menopause include::
- vaginal dryness
- hot flashes
- shiver
- night sweats
- sleep problems
- mood swings
- weight gain
- reduced metabolism
- hair thinning
- dry skin
Sources: https://www.heart.org, https://www.womenshealth.gov, https://www.mayoclinic.org, https://bestlifeonline.com
