Prevalence and Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in Post-Menopausal Syrian Women Living in North and East Syria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality among women globally. The menopausal transition marks a period of heightened physiological vulnerability due to estrogen depletion. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated CVD prevalence and risk factors among 300 Syrian women (91 premenopausal, 209 postmenopausal) in North and East Syria. Data collection included anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and full lipid profiles. Results: Postmenopausal women showed a high burden of cardiometabolic dysfunction. Obesity and central adiposity affected 45.1% and 63.4% of postmenopausal participants, respectively. The most frequent risk factors were hypertriglyceridemia (68.8%), hypertension (52.2%), and hyperglycemia (49.5%). Years since menopause positively correlated with increased arterial stiffness and mean arterial pressure. Conclusion: These findings underscore an urgent need for gender-sensitive public health interventions and targeted screening for hypertension and dyslipidemia in this population.