In this prospective cohort study of postmenopausal Black and White women, premature natural menopause before age 40 was associated with an approximately 40% higher lifetime risk of coronary heart disease, with similar relative risk observed across racial groups despite a higher prevalence among Black women. These findings support premature menopause as a risk-enhancing factor and highlight the importance of incorporating reproductive history into cardiovascular risk assessment and preventive care.

Source: JAMA Cardiology