The Intersection of Menopause, Lack of Physical Activity, and Cardiovascular Risk

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in women in the United States, and the physiologic changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause can increase women’s risk of CVD. Physical activity levels decrease with age, but physical activity can effectively reduce both menopausal symptoms and CVD risk in women. Interventions to increase physical activity and reduce menopausal symptoms and CVD risks in women are often not comprehensive and are unsustainable due to individual contextual barriers. Furthermore, there is a lack of counseling, education, and support for women related to both the menopause transition and prevention of CVD. Theory-based, collaborative interventions addressing physical, social, contextual, individual, and other socioecological factors seem to be the most effective and sustainable and are needed to increase physical activity, reduce CVD risks, and enhance quality of life in menopausal women.