Objective: To assess the influence of aging on serum lipids and lipoproteins in menopausal women and to determine whether arterial hypertension can determine carotid artery wall intima-media thickening in these subjects. Design: We assessed cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and carotid artery wall intima-media thickness in 729 menopausal women aged 40-65 years, divided into four age groups (40-45 years. 46-50 years. 51-55 years, and 56-60 years). Results: Serum lipids and lipoproteins rose progressively in the different age groups. Carotid wall thickness also increased and was more evident when accompanied by arterial hypertension. Conclusions: Our results suggest that elevated serum lipids and lipoproteins are interrelated with increased carotid artery wall intima-media thickness. Moreover, they showed the benefits of hormone replacement therapy. {Memopause 1999:6:230-232. © 1999. The North American Menopause Society.)
