Cardiovascular Health in Women: Navigating Menopause and Beyond.

Cardiovascular disease, specifically atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD), remains the leading cause of death among women globally.

• The abstract states this as the opening premise of the review.
• The abstract notes that persistent cardiovascular disparities exist for women compared to men.
• No specific mortality figures are provided in the abstract.

The menopausal transition is a critical cardiometabolic inflection point with accelerated adverse changes in lipid profiles, body composition, vascular function, and metabolic parameters.

• The abstract describes these changes as occurring "independent of aging alone."
• The domains affected are lipid profiles, body composition, vascular function, and metabolic parameters.
• No effect sizes or sample sizes are given in the abstract.

Traditional ASCVD risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obesity) may exert disproportionately greater cardiovascular effects in women than in men.

• The abstract uses hedged wording ("may exert"), indicating the evidence is described as suggestive.
• The risk factors named are diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and obesity.
• No quantitative risk estimates are provided in the abstract.

The authors conclude that a lifespan approach recognizing menopause as a critical inflection point for ASCVD prevention is essential.

• This is the stated conclusion of the narrative review.
• The framing treats menopause as a key window for prevention rather than an isolated event.