18 October 2016 

Do what makes your heart healthy: Manage and reduce risk factors  The menopausal phase in a woman’s life is an important window where preventative measures can be most effective with the right intervention.

For World Menopause Day this year the International Menopause Society (IMS) is highlighting that cardiovascular disease disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal women.

Although it is a disease of aging, vascular disease initiates much earlier in life. Thus, there is a need to be aware of the potential to prevent the development of the disease from an early age and continue this surveillance throughout life. 

In the White Paper: Cardiovascular risk assessment in women - an update [1] the IMS undertook a systematic review to summarise the literature and evaluate evidence on common, modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal women. 

A patient information leaflet: Do what makes your heart healthy [2] has been developed.

This comprehensive booklet  recognises that the menopausal phase in a woman’s life is an important window where preventative measures can be most effective in reducing cardiac risk and prevent heart disease.

It explains how to identify cardiac risk and highlights the top 10 tips for women to work with health professionals to explore options and prevention strategies that provide the correct tailored interventions for an individual patient.

Resources

A White Paper - Cardiovascular risk assessment in women - an update867.2 KB

The IMS grants permission to individuals only to reproduce the copies of the review for their own personal use but requests that organisations contact Ms Lee Tomkins, IMS Executive Director for advice on how to order reprints at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Do what makes your heart healthy

References

1. P. Collins, C. M. Webb, T. J. de Villiers, J. C. Stevenson, N. Panay & R. J. Baber (2016) Cardiovascular risk assessment in women – an update, Climacteric, 19:4, 329-336, DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2016.1198574  http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2016.1198574
2. IMS patient information leaflet: Do what makes your heart healthy