Association between pulse wave velocity and hot flashes/sweats in middle-aged women

Abstract

As women age and go through menopause, they suffer a higher incidence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have shown that a relationship exists between hot flashes/sweats and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the association between hot flashes/sweats and arterial stiffness is unclear. We aim to explore the relationship between hot flashes/sweats and arterial stiffness using the modified Kupperman index (KMI) questionnaire and measure the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). The prevalence of hot flashes in our research was reported to be 41.77%. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean baPWV among groups that experienced different severities of hot flashes/sweats according to one-way ANOVA test (p < 0.001). The baPWV values were positively associated with the severity of hot flashes/sweats based on linear regression after adjusting for established cardiovascular confounders (95% CI: (5.86, 43.23), p = 0.01). To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first investigation to propose that baPWV may serve both as an objective index for evaluating the severity of hot flashes/sweats and as a predictor of arterial stiffness beyond Cardiac Vascular Disease (CVD) risk factors in middle-aged women.

Increased Risk of Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases in Migraine Patients: A Nationwide Population-Based, Longitudinal Follow-Up Study in South Korea

“… 33 In addition, a recent analysis of data from The Women’s Health Initiative CaD study revealed that the number of menopausal symptoms (≥2 menopausal symptoms vs. none) is associated with a higher occurrence of cardiovascular disease (aHR 1.35, 95% CI 1.18–1.54). 34 The menopausal VMS has been reported to be associated with vascular risk factors such as hypertension, 35 diabetes, 36 and dyslipidemia, 37 and also with arterial stiffness, 38 39 endothelial dysfunction, 39 and proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. 40 Moreover, migraine was reported to be associated with an increased risk of hypertension in menopausal females based on data from a large French cohort (aHR 1.29, 95% CI 1.24–1.35).…”

Sex‐dependent correlates of arterial stiffness in Tanzanian adults

“…However, this protection diminishes after menopause, with dramatic increases in arterial stiffening in the years following menopause onset [30–32]. Importantly, more severe symptoms in menopause are associated with greater arterial stiffness, and the association between mortality and arterial stiffness in females is double that in males [32,33]. In our own study of Tanzanian women, years since menopause onset was also associated with higher PWV, even after controlling for age.…”

Association between serum uric acid to high density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio and arterial stiffness in a Japanese population

“…[28] Furthermore, severe symptoms in menopause are associated with remarkable arterial stiffness, and the association between mortality and arterial stiffness in females is double that in males. [29] Thus, menopause should be considered when evaluating the association between UHR and arterial stiffness.…”