Women spend about forty percent of their live in postmenopause—certainly incentive for efforts by the American Heart Association and the Menopause Society to share several important facts about this life-transition. One is that menopause does not cause cardiovascular disease. However, changes occur during menopause that can affect heart health, such as higher cholesterol and increased body fat. Another often overlooked factor in menopause is kidney health, changes that also may contribute to heart disease and stroke risk. Authors of the study in the Journal of the American Heart Association say understanding these menopause changes gives women more information to discuss them with their healthcare providers and take steps to support long-term health.