Morphological and functional changes of cardiovascular system in postmenopausal women

N. Alessandri, M.G. Piccioni*, V. Isabelli*, G. Alessandri, A. Di Matteo, D. Padovani, G. Rondoni, B. Camardella, C. Parlapiano**

Dipartimento del Cuore e Grossi Vasi “A. Reale” U.O.S. Cardiology “Polo Pontino”,
*Dipartimento di Ginecologia and Ostetricia, **Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche, University of Rome “La Sapienza” – Rome (Italy)

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• Cardiology

Abstract. – Background: The incidence of cardiovascular events in reproductive age women is 3 times lower than in men, whereas this ratio noticeably changes on menopausal beginning. Postmenopausal women are more exposed to the effects of risk factors, which are present in a noticeably different entity in physiological or surgical menopause; and in the latter wether on substitutive hormonal treatment or not.
Methods: This study, carried out in Rome and Latina, has involved 743 postmenopausal women, of whom 545 with physiological menopause and 198 with iatrogenic menopause.
Results: The average blood pressure value as well as the incidence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity and smoking have a significantly different trend in physiological versus iatrogenic postmenopausal women; and in the latter wether on substitutive hormonal treatment or not.
Conclusions: Studying life-style and evaluating risk factors in postmenopausal women, and giving an up-to-date view about the prevalence oh health conditions at risk, will allow us to promote both primary and secondary prevention actions.

Corresponding Author: Nicola Alessandri, MD; e-mail: nicola.alessandri@uniroma1.it

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