Do post-menopausal females have a higher or lower risk of heart disease than males aged 25-40?

Post-menopausal females do indeed have a higher risk of heart disease compared to males aged 25-40. This increased risk is largely attributed to hormonal changes that occur after menopause, which lead to a decrease in protective estrogen levels. Estrogen is known to play a protective role against cardiovascular disease. In contrast, males in their 20s and early 30s generally have higher levels of testosterone, which can have different effects on heart health, but they also do not have the same risk factors associated with menopause.

As women age and go through menopause, they not only lose the cardioprotective effects of estrogen but also may see an increase in traditional risk factors for heart disease, such as hypertension, increased cholesterol levels, and obesity. This shift leads to a greater incidence of heart disease in post-menopausal women, especially when compared to much younger males who have not yet begun to face the same risks associated with aging and hormonal changes.