Search

Cardiovascular risk increases during menopause, so the medical and scientific community should consider women's specific risk factors to prevent cardiovascular disease. This study aims to assess the risk factors for the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) exclusive to postmenopausal women. We conducted a prospective cohort study in postmenopausal women aged 40 years and older, who were included in the UK Biobank cohort between 2006 and 2010 and followed to 2021 (12 years). A total of 156,787 women were followed for a median of 12.5 years (nearly 2 million person-years), and MACE risk was assessed using Fine-Gray competing risk models. The cumulative incidence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality was 1.2% (0.97 cases per 1000 women-years). Not having taken birth control pills, not having children, and early menarche (≤12 years) were independently associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease that are specific to women include early menarche, not having taken oral contraceptives, and reproductive history, and this relationship is independent of classic cardiovascular risk factors. [Display omitted] • Postmenopausal women have female-specific cardiovascular risk factors. • Early menarche was associated with a higher cardiovascular risk. • A higher cardiovascular risk was observed in women with no live births. • A protective effect was detected for taking oral contraception vs. not taking it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]