Unveiling the Hidden Dangers of Hot Flashes - Crucial Steps to Take Today

Join CNN's Eat, But Better: Mediterranean Style to embrace a delectable, expert-endorsed eating regimen that will enhance your lifelong well-being. Prepare for the sudden surge of intense heat, capable of causing facial burning and profuse sweating from every pore - a sign of hot flashes and other manifestations of impending menopause. Experts predict that approximately 75% of women will undergo this experience, provided they live long enough.

Intense hot flashes could indicate an increased risk of Alzheimer's and heart disease in the future, new research found.

It's crucial to start paying attention, regardless of whether menopause is years or decades away, as emerging science suggests that the menopause experience could potentially have negative effects on future health.

Unreleased research unveiled at The Menopause Society's yearly conference in Philadelphia revealed that severe hot flashes are connected to an elevation in C-reactive protein levels, a known indicator of future heart disease. Additionally, they are also associated with a blood biomarker that could potentially anticipate a future diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. According to Dr. Stephanie Faubion, the director of the Mayo Clinics Women's Health Specialty Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and the medical director for The Menopause Society, this is the first instance where scientific evidence has demonstrated a strong correlation between hot flashes and blood biomarkers related to Alzheimer's disease.

"This additional evidence suggests that hot flashes and night sweats may not be as harmless as previously believed," noted Faubion, who was not part of the studies.

Risk of Alzheimer's disease

A total of 250 women, aged 45 to 67, who were experiencing symptoms of menopause, participated in a study where their sleep quality was measured using a device for three consecutive nights. Additionally, the women wore sweat monitors on one of those nights to track their hot flashes. The researchers also collected blood samples from the participants and tested them for a protein biomarker, beta-amyloid 42/40, associated with Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Rebecca Thurston, the lead study author, explained that beta-amyloid 42/40 is indicative of the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain, which is a key component in the development of Alzheimer's disease dementia.

According to Thurston, a professor of psychiatry, epidemiology, and psychology who oversees the Women's Biobehavioral Health Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh's Pitt Public Health, our findings reveal that night sweats could be an indicator of an increased risk of Alzheimer's dementia in women. This association is attributed to the presence of adverse beta-amyloid 42/40 profiles, suggesting that experiencing hot flashes during sleep may serve as a significant marker.

Women with PMS or PMDD were also more likely to have more severe menopause symptoms, the study showed.

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A recent study reveals that PMS may increase the likelihood of experiencing early menopause. However, it is important to note that the biomarker discussed does not confirm the presence of clinical Alzheimer's disease, but rather indicates the potential risk of developing the condition later on.

"In essence, night-time hot flashes do not directly contribute to this risk. Rather, they serve as an indicator of individuals who are more susceptible," said Faubion. "Likewise, we are uncertain whether addressing night sweats would reduce the risk. That remains unknown."

The research also examined two biomarkers for tau protein, which is another distinguishing feature of Alzheimer's disease. However, no correlation was found, according to Thurston. "These biomarkers are still in the midst of rapid advancement, and although they have been validated to some extent, there is still much to discover."

Researchers were able to eliminate poor sleep as a contributing factor for dementia through the use of objective sleep measurements. Previous studies, which also considered sleep, discovered a connection between hot flashes, night sweats, decreased memory performance, and changes in brain structure, function, and connectivity. These various findings highlight that nocturnal vasomotor symptoms have an impact on the brain beyond just sleep.

Thurston's team presented another study at the conference, examining inflammatory markers associated with heart disease. Previous research conducted by Thurston revealed that women experiencing frequent or persistent hot flashes during early menopause had an elevated risk, ranging from 50% to 80%, for cardiovascular events like heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.

Frequent moderate to severe hot flashes can often last seven to 10 years, on average, and less frequent or severe hot flashes can last even longer, according to experts.

Elderly woman experiencing chest pain while seated on a sofa in her home. Conveying themes of aging, health issues, impaired vision, and interpersonal connection. Depicting the concept of a heart attack in older adults. Indoor portrayal of an elderly woman in distress due to chest pain.

The study found that a heart condition could potentially impact 25% of women after menopause. To gather data, scientists utilized sweat monitors to objectively measure the frequency and intensity of hot flashes both during the day and night. This was done on a sample of 276 women who were participating in the MSHeart study.

Many individuals tend to downplay their hot flashes, claiming to experience fewer than they actually do," Faubion clarified. "Utilizing this monitor provides an unbiased means to quantitatively measure them."

Scientists conducted a comparison between the occurrence and severity of hot flashes and the blood levels of C-reactive protein, a protein that signifies inflammation in the body. This measurement helps determine the likelihood of heart disease and stroke in individuals without a preexisting heart condition.

The study results indicated that experiencing hot flashes during the day was linked to increased levels of C-reactive protein. This association remained significant even after accounting for factors like age, body mass index (BMI), education, ethnicity, hormone estradiol, and race. Mary Carson, the lead author of the study and a clinical and bio-health doctoral student in the psychology department at the University of Pittsburgh, stated that this research is the first of its kind to investigate the relationship between physiologically measured hot flashes and inflammation. Moreover, it contributes further evidence to the existing body of literature suggesting that hot flashes could be a possible indication of underlying vascular risk.

What you can do

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Cold sweat. Low angle of beautiful mature woman sweating and carrying glass of water

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The FDA has approved a new drug for managing menopausal hot flashes. In light of heart disease being the leading cause of death among women globally, medical professionals should now consider inquiring about patients' encounters with hot flashes as a potential indicator for future health risks, as suggested by Faubion.

"Women experiencing night sweats should evaluate their overall cardiovascular risk," she suggested.

When it comes to addressing this issue, the advice remains consistent with suggestions for maintaining a healthy heart and brain: improving sleep quality, following a nutritious diet, engaging in a regular exercise routine, managing stress levels, nurturing social connections, and participating in mentally stimulating activities.