Cardiovascular Risk in Postmenopausal Women

Lifetime Risk Profile

The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests that postmenopausal women have a lifetime risk of coronary heart disease of 46%, stroke of 20%, hip fracture of 15%, breast cancer of 10%, colorectal cancer of 6%, and endometrial cancer of 2.6% 1
The lifetime risk of stroke in postmenopausal women is 20% 1
The lifetime risk of hip fracture in postmenopausal women is 15% 1
The lifetime risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women is 10% 1
The lifetime risk of colorectal cancer in postmenopausal women is 6% 1
The lifetime risk of endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women is 2.6% 1

Lower circulating estrogen levels after menopause contribute to accelerated cardiovascular risk through multiple mechanisms, including increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels 1
Lower circulating estrogen levels after menopause contribute to accelerated cardiovascular risk through multiple mechanisms, including decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels 1
Lower circulating estrogen levels after menopause contribute to accelerated cardiovascular risk through multiple mechanisms, including adverse changes in blood pressure regulation 1
Lower circulating estrogen levels after menopause contribute to accelerated cardiovascular risk through multiple mechanisms, including endothelial dysfunction 1

The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends lipid panel assessment for postmenopausal women 1
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends routine osteoporosis screening beginning at age 60 for women at increased risk, or age 65 for all women 3
Bone health screening should be deferred until age 60-65 unless additional risk factors are present, such as body weight less than 70 kg, smoking, family history, or previous fracture 3