Hot flushes could put women at greater risk of heart disease and diabetes, study suggests

Severe hot flashes may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in women, according to a new study.

The common and uncomfortable symptom affects about three quarters of women going through menopause and can persist for up to 10 years.

But if left untreated, it can lead to what’s been called “metabolic syndrome,” experts warn.

This is the term given to when a group of three or more conditions — such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels — occur at the same time.

And people who suffer from metabolic syndrome are at greater risk of developing things like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, or stroke.

Researchers from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens surveyed 825 health-conscious women between the ages of 40 and 65 who had recently gone through menopause.

They followed these women for 15 years and found that those who experienced moderate to severe hot flashes were more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, as well as high blood pressure.

Previous studies have also shown that women who experience hot flashes have a higher risk of developing various types of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels.

But this is the first time a study has been conducted on women with varying degrees of symptoms.

The team said their findings highlight the importance of using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat symptoms in menopausal women.

Lead researcher Dr Elena Armeni said: ‘Our results again emphasize the role of cardiovascular prevention strategies, such as the use of HRT, which should be implemented soon after menopause.

The common and uncomfortable symptom affects about three quarters of women going through menopause and can persist for up to 10 years

“This healthy group of women who are already eligible for HRT should be encouraged to choose this treatment.” The researchers said if further studies confirm that the most symptomatic women have a higher risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes or stroke, this group “needs appropriate health education to ensure they remain fit and healthy in old age.” ‘.

This weekend showed that women are still struggling to get access to HRT medication, a year after shortages paralyzed the supply chain.

Sufferers are once again resorting to sharing drugs and waiting months for their prescriptions to be fulfilled.

Launched last year, the Daily Mail’s ‘Fix the HRT Crisis’ campaign aimed to help women access their much-needed medication during supply problems.

Less than a month after launching our campaign, the government announced a Severe Shortage Protocol, making it easier for pharmacists to replace treatments.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) also made the decision to make some form of HRT available without a prescription in a landmark UK, and last month a regulation came into effect that would give menopausal women more than Saving £200 A Year.

The findings of the new study were presented at the 25th European Congress of Endocrinology in Istanbul.