The influence of menopause on risk factors for atherosclerosis

Introduction: While low in women of childbearing age, cardiovascular risk rises quickly after menopause. It is a well known fact that cholesterolemia increases in the absence of ovarian estrogen secretion, and a number of studies have demonstrated an increasing incidence of metabolic syndrome (MS) following menopause. Despite this, conclusive evidence for most of the MS components is unavailable, and an increase in insulin resistance due to menopause has likewise not been documented. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of menopause on selected cardiovascular risk factors in Czech women. Methods: A total of 909 women, as a random 5% sample of female residents of Prague 4 aged 45-55 years, were enrolled. Fasting blood samples were obtained, a thorough history was taken, necessary anthropometric measurements and ultrasound examinations of arteries were performed. Results: In multivariate regression analysis, postmenopausal status, not age, was the only predictor of combined markers, i.e., MS as defined by NCEP-ATPIII (p = 0.03) and atherogenic lipid indexes (total cholesterol/HDL-C, p = 0.002; LDL-C/HDL-C, p = 0.004; apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I, p = 0.004). While age was the strongest predictor of individual components of MS, menopausal status was only associated with waist circumference..