Menopause is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it is unclear whether premature menopause (defined as menopause before the age of 40 years) or early menopause (defined as menopause before the age of 45 years) is associated with an increased risk of heart failure or atrial fibrillation. This study aimed to examine the most reliable evidence on the relationship between early menopause and the risk of heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
A comprehensive literature search was performed in three online databases, Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed, from database establishment to April 1, 2023. The results were presented as hazard ratios with 95 % confidence intervals. The I statistic was employed to assess heterogeneity, and the Egger’s test was used to determine publication bias.
Nine cohort studies were included in the analysis, with a total of 6,255,783 postmenopausal women. Women with premature and early menopause had an increased risk of heart failure (HR: 1.39, 95 % CI: 1.31-1.47; HR: 1.23, 95 % CI: 1.10-1.37, respectively) and atrial fibrillation (HR: 1.15, 95 % CI: 1.01-1.31; HR: 1.08, 95 % CI: 1.04-1.13, respectively) when compared with women who had undergone menopause after the age of 45 years. Subgroup analysis showed that, compared with early menopause, premature menopause has a stronger association with an increased risk of heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
Women who undergo premature menopause or early menopause have a higher risk of heart failure and atrial fibrillation compared with women who undergo menopause in the normal age range. These reproductive factors need to be considered for measures that might reduce the risk of heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.