HeartFacts.co.uk » Early menarche leads to increased risk of heart disease

Early menarche leads to increased risk of heart disease

Posted on January 5, 2010
Filed Under Heart disease | Leave a Comment

Heart disease is one of the biggest killers worldwide, and much research is involved in investigating heart disease causes. The latest research has indicated that early menarche in women leads to an increased risk of heart disease and an increased risk of dying from heart disease.

Early menarche, termed as having your first period before the age of 12 years old, is thought to be detrimental late in life. Some earlier studies have indicated that those with early menarche are more likely to have an increased body mass index, and also more susceptible to diseases such as diabetes. Diabetes and obesity are both heart disease causes. Women with early menarche also have a higher risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, two other heart disease causes.

The most recent study followed over 15 000 women between the ages of 40 and 79, and after adjusting for heart disease risk factors such as smoking and exercising, it was found that the women who had menarche younger than 12 years old were 23% more likely to have heart disease, and 285 more likely to die from a heart attack or stroke. They also had a 25% greater chance of dying from cancer.

The latest heart disease causes tell us that if you have had early menarche you must be aware of your increased risk of heart disease, and must look at other heart disease risk factors and modify them in order to reduce your risk of heart disease.