Cardiovascular Health in Women: Navigating Menopause and Beyond.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), specifically atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD), remains the leading cause of death among women globally and persistent cardiovascular disparities exist for women compared to men. The menopausal transition represents a critical cardiometabolic inflection point during which women experience accelerated adverse changes in lipid profiles, body composition, vascular function, and metabolic parameters independent of aging alone. Traditional ASCVD risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and obesity may exert disproportionately greater cardiovascular effects among women compared with men. In conclusion, a lifespan approach that recognizes menopause as a critical inflection point for ASCVD prevention is essential.