Doctors from the University of Athens found that hot flashes during menopause are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and type II diabetes. The results of the study were presented at the 25th European Endocrinology Congress held in Istanbul.
Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause, which can last up to 10 years. At this time, a woman feels a sudden heat wave in the upper half of her body, she is sweating, her heart rate is increasing, and sometimes her blood pressure is elevated. The feeling of heat extends to the face, chest, shoulders.
The authors studied 825 healthy women ages 40 to 65 who had entered menopause. They followed these women for 15 years and found that those who suffered from moderate to severe hot flashes were more likely to develop metabolic syndrome.
This term is used when a person suffers from high blood pressure, high blood sugar and cholesterol levels as well as being overweight. As a result, this syndrome puts a person at risk of developing heart disease, type II diabetes, or stroke.
The team said their findings highlight the importance of using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat menopausal symptoms in menopausal women.