According to a study at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, women who have their menopause onset before the age of 42 double their risk of ischemic stroke compared to those that start their menopause later on in life.
These findings were presented in San Diego at the International Stroke Conference. This type of stroke is the most common, one that the American Stroke Association says claims the lives of 144,000 a year.
The study followed 1,430 women, all stroke free until age 60. Their findings where that women reaching menopause before age 42, those that reached it from 55 or over, or those that fell between the two numbers. The study was following them until they had a stroke, died, or the 22 year time limit of the study was up.
According to Dr. Linda Lisabeth from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, "Four or five percent of all strokes in women could be attributed to this risk factor.”
If you are a women who has gone through menopause before the age of 42, I would advise seeking the advice of your healthcare professional on whether you need to be monitored on an additional risk of stroke.
The study is published in the February issue of "Stroke".