EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE IN THE MENOPAUSE

The risk for cardiovascular disease in women increases with age. The r elationship of cardiovascular disease to the menopause has been though t to result from loss of ovarian hormonal production. However, direct evidence for the role of endogenous estrogen in protection from athero sclerosis is lacking. indirect evidence of hormonal impact on heart di sease must control for the effect of aging as well as other risk facto rs. Menopause signals gradual hormonal changes in addition to alterati ons in other cardiac risk factors, all of which contribute to the onse t of coronary heart disease in elderly women.