How early menopause impacts heart and brain health? : Study

New Delhi: Women who experience earlier menopause may face greater risks to heart health, which can, in turn, impact brain function and cognitive performance, according to a study presented on Tuesday.

While previous research has linked early menopause to an increased risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease later in life, the combined effect of earlier menopause and reduced cardiac function on brain health has remained largely unexplored.

“Reduced cardiac function can affect brain health by limiting the supply of oxygen and nutrients essential for proper brain function. This reduced blood flow can damage brain tissue, contribute to silent strokes, and increase dementia risk, highlighting the critical connection between heart and brain health,” the researchers noted.

The study suggests that early menopause may exacerbate the relationship between cardiac function and changes in grey matter volume, white matter hyperintensity burden, and overall cognitive performance.

“We still don't fully understand how menopause, and especially earlier menopause, affects brain ageing. By examining the intersection of heart and brain health, we were keen to shed light on this important but often overlooked area of research, we aim to shed light on this important but often overlooked area,” said lead author Tallinn Splinter from the University of Toronto, Canada.

Presented at the ongoing 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society in Orlando, the study included over 500 participants to investigate whether the age at menopause influences the link between cardiac function and brain health.

Cardiac function was measured using resting left ventricular ejection fraction via cardiac MRI, while brain MRI was used to assess grey matter volume and white matter hyperintensity burden. Cognitive performance was evaluated through standardised neuropsychological tests.

The findings indicate that early menopause combined with reduced cardiac function may have a compounding negative effect on brain health.

“These findings underscore the importance of integrating sex-specific factors, such as age at menopause, into research on dementia risk and informing targeted prevention and intervention strategies,” said Dr Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society.

IANS