Poor sleep raises risk of heart problems in menopausal women

Poor sleep in midlife, along with several other factors, increases women’s long-term risk of heart problems. Yet only one in five women in this age range scores well on overall heart health, according to a study published in the August 2025 issue of Menopause.

Researchers analyzed health data from 2,924 women ages 42 to 52 (average age 46) using a scoring system based on Life’s Essential 8, a set of heart-healthy measures identified by the American Heart Association. The score combines eight health components (diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep quality, body mass index, cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure) that correlate with a person’s future cardiovascular health. The researchers tracked the women’s scores over an average of 16 years, comparing them to outcomes such as blood vessel changes, heart attacks, strokes, and deaths. Healthy sleep was defined as an average of seven to nine hours of sleep nightly.

Poor sleep in particular was found to be associated with higher risks for cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke, as well as death from all causes, the study authors said. Three other components — high blood pressure, nicotine use, and high blood sugar levels — were also among the important factors driving participants’ future cardiovascular risks, including the accumulation of plaque in the carotid artery, which supplies blood to the brain. Additionally, only 20% of the women had optimal overall scores. The findings point to the need for lifestyle and medical interventions to improve heart health during and after menopause among midlife women, the study authors said.

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