Myocardial infarction risk factors and well-being among 50-year-old women before and after the menopause. The population study "50-year-old people in Kungsör".
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether early menopause has a negative influence on the traditional ischaemic heart disease (IHD) risk factor pattern and on well-being.


METHODS
Cross-sectional population study.


METHODS
Kungsör, a semirural community in mid-Sweden.


METHODS
All 155 women in Kungsör who became 50 years old in 1984-7.


METHODS
Traditional IHD risk factors and self assessed well-being measures.


RESULTS
Women who smoked had an earlier menopause than others. Postmenopausal women had significantly higher serum cholesterol levels (and haemoglobin levels), and more sleep disturbances than premenopausal women. There were no significant differences in other self-rated well-being, but home and family situation, patience, anxiety, and sleep disturbances tended to become worse with time from menopause.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings may be interpreted as evidence indicating that the menopause affects the IHD risk factor profile and well-being negatively.
Thorell
B
B
Uppsala University, Department of Family Medicine, Sweden.
Svärdsudd
K
K
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D008019:Life Style; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology