Aracê · Jul 13, 2026
CLIMACTERIC SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN WITH AND WITHOUT HEART DISEASE: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY
By dos Santos AKT, de Lima MF, Melo RDCT et al.
Considering the physiological changes in women related to menopause and their possible association with cardiovascular diseases, the objective of this study is to identify the occurrence of menopausal symptoms in women with and without heart disease. To this end, a cross-sectional case-control study with a quantitative approach was conducted, involving 160 women at referral outpatient clinics in Recife, Pernambuco, using the Menopause Rating Scale. Thus, it was observed that menopausal symptoms manifested with significantly greater intensity in the group of women with heart disease, especially in somatic domains, such as shortness of breath and heart discomfort, and in the psychological domain, particularly irritability and anxiety. Furthermore, the case group demonstrated a high prevalence of symptoms classified as very intense. This leads to the conclusion that heart disease acts as a factor that exacerbates the intensity of symptoms during menopause, highlighting the need for comprehensive, patient-centered care grounded in public health policies to promote these women's quality of life and well-being.