Preventive screening and cardiovascular health for women over 40

A Framingham analysis of 6,211 women found that pulse-pressure elevation was not synchronized with menopause timing, pointing toward vascular aging or aortic stiffness rather than menopause alone. Comprehensive assessment should include blood pressure, lipids, diabetes risk, reproductive history, sleep, lifestyle, symptoms, and overall clinical risk; palpitations warrant individualized assessment rather than automatic attribution to menopause.