September 27, 2023 – Hot flashes are widely considered a symptom of menopause that may impact quality of life so severely that they're value treating. Now, two recent studies add to the growing body of evidence that hot flashes could also be an excellent greater reason to see a physician: The sudden feelings of warmth could also be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, heart disease and stroke.
Research presented this week on the North American Menopause Society's annual meeting in Philadelphia shows that hot flashes that occur during sleep could also be an early indicator of a girl's increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found a link between a blood biomarker called beta-amyloid 42/40, which can indicate brain changes linked to a future diagnosis of Alzheimer's, CNN reported.
The study, conducted by the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Illinois, involved nearly 250 women, ages 45 to 67, who wore a sweat monitor for 3 nights to record hot flashes, CNN reported.
Hot flashes are the sudden feeling of heat within the upper body that sometimes causes sweating, and are probably the most common symptom of menopause, the time when a girl's menstrual periods grow to be irregular and eventually stop. The feeling of warmth most frequently occurs within the face, neck and chest, in accordance with the Mayo ClinicThe average age for full menopause within the United States is 51, but it may occur earlier or later.
Hot flashes may also be a warning sign of heart disease, in accordance with a second recent study presented by the University of Pittsburgh researchers on the meeting. The frequency and intensity of hot flashes in the course of the day were measured by devices worn by the ladies that might determine how much electricity could go through the skin. The researchers linked the measurement to a marker within the blood called high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, which is an indication of inflammation and, as other research has shown, indicates an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
“Because heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States, studies like this are particularly valuable,” said Stephanie Faubion, MD, medical director of the Menopause Society and physician on the Mayo Clinic, in a opinion“Doctors need to ask their patients about their experiences with hot flashes, as these not only affect their quality of life but can also indicate other risk factors.”
CNN reported that not one of the studies have been published yet.