Heart disease is one of the top life-threatening diseases today. In many countries, it is the number one life-threatening disease. Early intervention is critical in preventing or at least minimizing its effects. One way that might determine this is the onset of menopause early on in women, as a recent study suggested.

The onset of early menopause symptoms might also indicate the possibility of heart disease later on. These have been the findings of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. These symptoms might include hot flashes and night sweats, according to Science Daily.

The research has shown that early onset of menopause symptoms could cause dysfunction of the endothelium. Endothelium is the lining along the blood vessels. This dysfunction has been measured through assessing the blood flow dilation. This is a noninvasive ultrasound method to see if blood vessels dilate well in response to pressure applied on the blood vessel wall.

254 women with signs of ischemic heart disease were tested during the research, as Medical Xpress reports. The research has found that women who had experienced hot flashes before the age of 42 were more likely to have lower flow mediation dilation (FMD). These also would likely have higher mortality from heart disease.

Dr. Rebecca Thurston, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh leads the study along with her colleagues. She said that with the study they have found out that menopausal symptoms could start earlier and could persist longer. The study also shows that for younger midlife women these symptoms could indicate a change in blood vessels, which put them at risk for heart disease later on.

More hot flashes also seem to be a factor as well in dictating whether heart disease might happen later. The average number of hot flashes experienced was nine during the 24-hour period the women were monitored. FMD for younger women who had more than 10 hot flashes was reduced in half, according to the study.

Dr. Thurston did stress that there is more work needed to be done to confirm these findings. The research, however, could prove valuable in providing ways to prevent heart disease for women who experience menopausal symptoms early.

Health is important, as reflected in this iTechPost report, which stated that fitness trackers might not be beneficial for weight loss, after all.