The SO The study followed more than 3,000 women between the ages of 40 and 50 for 22 years. At each visit, participants answered questionnaire questions about the frequency and severity of any hot flashes they had experienced during the previous two weeks. They also reported any cardiac events and provided relevant medical records for review by independent cardiologists.

The researchers found that people who reported frequent hot flashes at the start of the study were 50% more likely to have CVD later. In addition, those who had frequent hot flushes (an average of four visits per year) had a 77% increased risk of cardiovascular disease. When controlling for demographic indicators, risk factors, and even the use of hormone therapy, the relationship remained.

Interestingly, people who were black, had less education, or had financial difficulties were more likely to report frequent hot flushes. Another study found that black women were more likely to report IUDs than women of other racial groups.

There is no consensus as to why hot flashes are associated with an increased risk of CVD, although one study from Obstetrics and gynecology observed that people reporting hot flashes had higher levels of LDL, HDL, apolipoprotein A-1, apolipoprotein B, and triglycerides than those who did not. Another study using previous SWAN data also found that people with hot flashes received higher scores on the HOMA3 indexan indicator of insulin resistance.