A new study suggests that Black adults as well as people with lower education levels, people who smoke, and people with a history of migraine or depression during early adulthood can have a higher risk of vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats later in life. Identifying these factors during early adulthood could potentially reduce the risk of vasomotor symptoms in midlife. Additionally, women with a combined history of migraine and persistent vasomotor symptoms after the age of 40 were found to be at a two-fold higher risk of cardiovascular events, highlighting the importance of managing risk factors for these symptoms early on.
Vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats, are prevalent in midlife women, with nearly 70% of women experiencing them during menopause. These symptoms can impact quality of life, and severe or frequent symptoms can have a significant adverse effect. While factors influencing the predisposition for vasomotor symptoms may arise earlier in life, the exact risk factors for these symptoms are not well understood. Recent research has shown that socioeconomic factors, history of depression or migraine in early adulthood, and a combination of vasomotor symptoms and migraine in midlife may increase the risk of vasomotor symptoms and cardiovascular disease later in life.
Studies have suggested an association between vasomotor symptoms and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The combined presence of vasomotor symptoms and migraine has also been linked to elevated cardiovascular risk. However, it is not clear whether vasomotor symptoms can independently increase cardiovascular risk after accounting for other known risk factors. A new study investigated the impact of vasomotor symptoms and migraine headaches on cardiovascular risk using data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study. The findings showed that a history of both persistent vasomotor symptoms and migraines was associated with a two-fold higher risk of cardiovascular events, highlighting the importance of managing these risk factors to reduce future health risks.
Researchers examined factors predisposing women to persistent vasomotor symptoms compared to infrequent symptoms in a second study. Black adults, smokers, individuals with lower education levels, those with a history of migraine or depression, and those who had received a hysterectomy were found to have an increased risk of persistent vasomotor symptoms. Further analysis revealed that lifestyle factors such as smoking cessation could help lower the overall risk of cardiovascular events associated with vasomotor symptoms and migraine. Screening for thyroid disease and management could also potentially reduce the risk of vasomotor symptoms later in life.
The strength of the two studies lies in their prospective design, tracking participants over a long period, and accounting for various variables that could impact the results. However, the correlational nature of the studies means that causation cannot be established. The classification methods used for categorizing participants based on the severity of vasomotor symptoms differed from other studies, potentially influencing the results. Additionally, the reliance on self-reports for migraine and vasomotor symptoms could introduce bias into the data. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore strategies for managing risk factors associated with vasomotor symptoms and cardiovascular disease.
