A balancing act

Women of all ages should take heart disease seriously. Among U.S. women, more than 1 in 5 deaths each year is due to heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease.

But most healthy women younger than age 60, and within 10 years of the start of menopause, can safely take hormone therapy without significantly increasing heart disease risk. Younger women who are nearer to their last menstrual period have the lowest risk, and the risk increases as you get older and time since menopause elapses.

If you have hot flashes, night sweats or other menopause symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor. You may be able to take hormone therapy to relieve your symptoms — without putting your health at risk.