Aortic Stiffness in Women May Increase Before Menopause, Challenging Conventional Wisdom

New research published in Hypertension, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association, suggests that the increase in aortic stiffness and pulse pressure in women begins about two decades before menopause, rather than being solely driven by falling estrogen levels. The study, based on the Framingham Heart Study, indicates that healthcare professionals should pay greater attention to women with a wider pulse pressure, as it signifies a stiffer aorta and an increased risk of heart disease, dementia, and kidney disease.