The aim of this year’s World Menopause Day on 18th October is to raise awareness of the links between menopause and the potential risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. Given that around 13 million women in the UK, or a third of the female population, are currently in the perimenopause or menopause stage, and that CVD is responsible for 35% of deaths in women each year, it’s an issue that really can’t be ignored. Here’s what you need to know…

One of the most important things that you can do to mitigate the risk of coronary heart disease is to make healthier lifestyle choices like upping your exercise, cutting down on alcohol, cutting out tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet. Even small steps can all add up and make a big difference towards alleviating menopause symptoms and maintaining a healthy heart.

Menopause is a natural transition in a woman’s life, usually between the ages of 45 and 55, when her ovaries run out of egg cells and production of oestrogen and other hormones declines. The average age for a woman to reach menopause in the UK is 51, although around 5% of women naturally go through early menopause. Early and premature menopause can also be brought on by other extenuating circumstances including certain medical conditions and treatments.