Morphological and functional changes of cardiovascular system in postmenopausal women.

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 whether 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 whether 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.