Perimenopausal Women Twice as Likely to Have Lower Heart-Health Measures

A 2026 analysis found that perimenopausal women were twice as likely as women with regular cycles to have lower cardiovascular-health measures. As estrogen declines, HDL particles may become less effective, LDL and ApoB may rise, and blood vessels may stiffen; changes in fat distribution and metabolism may also add to risk, even when routine cholesterol results appear normal. The findings support assessing heart health earlier and more broadly rather than relying on a basic cholesterol panel alone. Separately, researchers developed and preliminarily evaluated a questionnaire about women’s menopause-related heart-health knowledge, experiences, behaviors and perceived risks, finding it acceptable and generally reliable.