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Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
Heart disease and stroke are among the leading causes of death in Malaysian women, and the risk rises sharply at menopause.
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A leading health risk for women
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), disease of the heart and blood vessels, includes heart disease and stroke. These are among the leading causes of death in Malaysian women, and ischaemic heart disease (narrowed heart arteries) is the leading cause of death in Malaysia overall. After a heart attack or stroke, women tend to have a poorer long-term outcome and quality of life than men.
Why the risk rises at menopause
A woman's risk of CVD increases sharply at menopause because of:
Increasing age
Loss of oestrogen
Changes in body fat
How body fat is spread and stored.
Less physical activity
Higher blood pressure
Worse cholesterol and blood fats
Worse blood sugar control
Glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.
Heart symptoms can be different in women
Women often go to the emergency department with varied symptoms that do not seem related to the heart, so the diagnosis can be delayed.
Chest pain is the most common sign of a heart attack in women, as in men, and chest pain caused by the heart (angina) is more common in women than in men. But symptoms that are not in the chest may also be caused by a heart problem, such as:
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Pain in the upper tummy (epigastric pain)
- Shortness of breath
Call 999 straight away if you have
- chest pain, pressure or tightness, which may spread to the arm, jaw, neck or back
- sudden shortness of breath
- a cold sweat, feeling sick, upper tummy pain or feeling faint, especially with any of the above
- signs of a stroke: a drooping face, weakness in an arm, or slurred speech
Call 999 or go to the nearest emergency department. Don't wait to see if it passes, and don't drive yourself.
Looking after your heart
Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, and talk about your heart health as you approach menopause. Read about weight at menopause and lifestyle changes.
Sources
- Department of Statistics Malaysia. Statistics on Causes of Death, Malaysia, 2025 (data for 2024).
Keep learning
Weight at menopause
Why weight creeps up around the tummy, and why it matters.
Read moreLifestyle changes
Everyday steps that can ease symptoms and protect your health.
Read moreWhen to consult a doctor
Signs that it's time to get a check-up.
Read moreWorried about your symptoms?
Your doctor can help you work out what is going on and talk you through your options.