The Link Between Hot Flashes and Heart Disease: What Women Need to Know

Lifestyle |
4 min read

Published

May 29, 2026

Medically reviewed by

Alyssa Dweck MS, MD, FACOG, MSCP, Chief Medical Officer

At first glance, hot flashes might seem like a rite of passage to power through during perimenopause and menopause, lasting until postmenopause potentially brings relief.

However, for the three in four women who experience hot flashes during menopause, the symptom may actually offer an important insight into heart health—especially if hot flashes happen early and often during your menopause transition.^1,2,3

In this article, we’ll take a look at what the research says about the connection between hot flashes and heart disease and what you can do to protect your heart health during menopause and beyond.

What Hot Flashes and Heart Disease Have in Common

Fortunately, experiencing hot flashes doesn’t automatically guarantee you have or will develop heart disease. However, some research does suggest that women who experience hot flashes may have a higher cardiovascular risk in the future.⁴

A recent study of women aged 40 to 60 noted that those who experienced hot flashes had less flexible arteries than those who didn’t experience hot flashes.⁵ This “stiffness” observed in blood vessels, medically defined as endothelial dysfunction, is an early predictor of high blood pressure, plaque buildup, and heart disease risk.^6,7

Other key research findings regarding the potential connection between hot flashes and heart disease include: ^8,9,10,11

Artery function. Those who experience hot flashes may have arteries that are less likely to “relax” or widen during exercise or stressful situations, increasing cardiovascular risk.
Timing and frequency. The risk is greater in women who experience hot flashes at a younger age and/or more frequently throughout their menopause journey.
Inflammation. Women with frequent hot flashes tend to have higher markers of inflammation, further increasing potential heart disease risk.

Be sure to take the information above with a grain of salt. This type of observational research has more to do with correlation, which means there are signs the two things are associated but may not be linked, rather than with causation, which points to a direct cause and effect.¹²

But is there anything you can do to better support your heart health during this transitional time? Here we’ll take a look at what research has to say about overall menopause and heart disease risk, including what you can do to potentially lower your risk(s).

What You Can Do About Menopause and Cardiovascular Risk

Experts believe that estrogen is protective for blood vessels and that the loss of this hormone during menopause may increase your risk for high blood pressure, weight gain, and high cholesterol.^13,14

Fortunately, experts also say that 80% of cardiovascular risk, including heart disease and stroke, is preventable.¹⁵ There’s no way to stop menopause, but there are many ways to prioritize heart health as you age.

Lowering Heart Disease Risk in Menopause^{16,17,18,19,20,21}

Nutrition. A heart-healthy diet includes fruits and vegetables, lean protein sources, healthy fats, and fiber-rich whole grains. Limiting alcohol, high salt food, and saturated and trans fat intake may help to lower your blood cholesterol and therefore your risk of heart disease.
Exercise. Regular exercise can help to lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and lower risk factors for heart disease. Most guidelines recommend at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five times per week and resistance training at least twice per week. Always check with a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise routine, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
Healthy Weight. Maintaining a healthy weight can help to reduce strain on the heart and the risk for heart disease, stroke, and other heart conditions. Consider working with a healthcare provider to identify a healthy goal weight and a gameplan to achieve it.
Stress Management. Chronic stress has been associated with increased risk for heart disease. Stress management tools include getting adequate sleep, having positive social connections, enjoying hobbies, and prioritizing rest and relaxation.

What Hot Flashes May Tell You About Heart Health

Hot flashes may not just be a hallmark symptom of the menopause journey—they may also be a signal to check your risk for heart disease. As discussed, there are simple things you can do to prioritize your heart health in midlife, from the lifestyle choices you make to working with a healthcare provider to assess your risk.

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