A Longitudinal Study to Identify Mechanisms of Menopause on Cardiovascular Disease Risk

With the cessation of estrogen production at menopause, the risk of cardiovascular disease like arthrosclerosis, myocardial infarction and stroke increases dramatically. Physical activity is the single most powerful "drug" for maintaining and improving cardiovascular health, but recent data suggest that the positive effect of physical activity is lost at menopause. In this project the investigators will follow a cohort of 200 women from before the women enter menopause and until at least 10 years past menopause. By advanced invasive methodologies the investigators will monitor the changes that occur in the blood vessels of the circulation, the heart and the brain and combine this with microRNA sequencing of blood and tissue samples.