A recent study reveals that only 1 in 5 women going through menopause achieve optimal heart health scores. The research, published on July 8 in Menopause, emphasizes that sleep quality plays a crucial role in protecting the heart long-term.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Baylor University analyzed data from nearly 3,000 women aged around 46.
These women were part of the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN), a large, diverse, ongoing study that began in 1996 tracking women through midlife changes.
The study focused on the American Heart Association’s health tool called Life’s Essential 8 (LE8). This tool measures eight key health factors: nutrition, physical activity, smoking, sleep, body mass index, blood lipids, blood sugar, and blood pressure.
Out of these, four—blood sugar, blood pressure, sleep quality, and nicotine use—were found to be the most important in predicting future heart risks.
Sleep stood out as a vital factor linked to the long-term risk of heart disease and overall mortality. Researchers noted that getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night—recommended for most adults—may help women maintain better heart health and live longer. This connection, however, was not seen in the shorter-term markers of cardiovascular disease, such as artery thickening.
“Menopause is a time when heart risk increases rapidly,” said Dr. Samar R. El Khoudary, professor of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh. “But it is also a chance for women to take control of their heart health.”
The study found that women with low LE8 scores had higher risks for heart problems. Yet, only 21% of women studied met the ideal score, showing a clear need for better lifestyle and medical strategies to protect heart health during and after menopause.
The research team included experts from Pitt, Albert Einstein College, and Baylor University, highlighting the importance of lifestyle factors like sleep and smoking in women’s cardiovascular health.
With heart disease being the leading cause of death among women, these findings serve as a call to action for women over 45 to prioritize sleep and other healthy habits to safeguard their hearts.
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