If you’re a postmenopausal woman and find yourself dealing with hot flashes a lot, listen up! A recent study from the US suggests that those frequent flashes might actually increase your risk of heart disease. Yup, you heard it right.

So, what’s the deal? Well, researchers found that women in their mid-50s who experienced a whopping 12 hot flashes a day had thicker carotid arteries compared to those who had fewer than four. And guess what? This thickness could be a sign of potential heart disease down the road.

Now, here’s the kicker: this link between hot flashes and heart health didn’t care about age, race, weight, or even cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Lead researcher Rebecca Thurston, PhD, from the University of Pittsburgh, explained that if your hot flashes are less frequent, you’re in the clear. But for those of you who are experiencing them often, it’s crucial to keep an eye on your heart health.

The study involved 304 non-smoking women in their mid-50s who hadn’t been diagnosed with heart disease. Most of them were postmenopausal, overweight, and had normal blood pressure. Researchers kept track of the number of hot flashes these women had each day and also did ultrasound exams to measure the thickness of their carotid arteries.

Interestingly, half of the participants reported no hot flashes at all, while the other half reported an average of four a day. But here’s the twist: the monitoring showed an average of 10 hot flashes a day. So, some women might not even realize how often they’re experiencing them!

But here’s the million-dollar question: can treating hot flashes actually lower your risk of heart disease? Well, the jury’s still out on that one. The researchers aren’t sure yet, but it’s definitely something worth exploring further.

So, ladies, if you’re in the hot flash club, make sure to keep tabs on your heart health. And if you’re not, count yourself lucky! But hey, it’s always good to stay informed, right?