Book chapter
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Across Reproductive Transitions: From Menarche to Menopause
Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Health and Disease, pp.313-344
Physiology in Health and Disease, Springer Nature Switzerland
2026
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-26472-5_12
Abstract
The reproductive life cycle of women (menarche, pregnancy, menopause) is accompanied by physiological and psychosocial changes that may impact cardiovascular health and quality of life. The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology now recognize that multiple sex-specific factors from across a woman’s life course may enhance risk prediction for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and contribute to health disparities. Thus, an understanding of the intersection of reproductive health and CVD, as well as the underlying mechanisms that lead to cardiovascular health disparities, is necessary for early risk stratification and health promotion. This chapter will first discuss the physiology of the reproductive life course and key factors related to CVD risk. An in-depth review of various factors associated with CVD risk at each stage (menarche, pregnancy, and menopause), as well as the social and structural determinants of health that may link these, will follow. Finally, this chapter will discuss future directions for research and clinical practice with a particular focus on the application of life course epidemiology.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Across Reproductive Transitions: From Menarche to Menopause
- Creators
- Yamnia I. Cortés - University of IowaSamar R. El Khoudary - Virginia Commonwealth UniversityJoAnn E. Manson - Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Contributors
- Xenia T. Tigno (Editor)Joseph C. Wu (Editor)
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Publication Details
- Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Health and Disease, pp.313-344
- Series
- Physiology in Health and Disease
- DOI
- 10.1007/978-3-032-26472-5_12
- eISSN
- 2625-2538
- ISSN
- 2625-252X
- Publisher
- Springer Nature Switzerland; Cham
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2026
- Academic Unit
- Nursing
- Record Identifier
- 9985217827702771
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