Early Puberty Linked to Women's Heart Risks

Other factors play a part, too

A new study reveals contributing factors that could be linked to a woman's risk of developing heart disease. It was discovered that earlier menstruation was correlated to higher body mass index (BMI) and weight and, in turn, heart disease risk. In the study, the age at which a woman began menstruating, the number of children she had, and her age at menopause were recorded, and connected to obesity-related measures. Still, on average, women experience heart problems nearly a decade after men because of the female hormone estrogen, which shields the heart until menopause, around ages 50 to 60, after which its levels drop dramatically. (CNN)

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