Estrogen status appears to play an important modulatory role in improvements in endothelial function with endurance exercise training in postmenopausal women. The restored endurance exercise training adaptation in estrogen-treated postmenopausal women may be related to mitigation of oxidative stress.

Our findings suggest that a decline in endothelial function begins during the early stages of menopause (perimenopause) and worsens with the loss of ovarian function and prolonged estrogen deficiency. These data add to the accumulating evidence that the perimenopausal window is a critical time period for adverse changes in CVD risk.

In conclusion, a 24-wk walking program meeting the ACSM-CDC physical activity recommendation is effective in lowering systolic BP in postmenopausal women with borderline to stage 1 hypertension.

HRT use and regular aerobic exercise are associated with augmented carotid arterial compliance in healthy postmenopausal women. Moderate, short-term aerobic exercise can restore carotid arterial compliance in previously sedentary postmenopausal women taking HRT.