This study planned to learn more about women and how the drop in estradiol levels during
menopause may affect their cardiovascular risk. With aging, the arteries that are located
around the heart get stiffer, and this increase in arterial stiffness can lead to a number of
health problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease. In this study, the
investigators examined whether a short-term drop in estrogen levels caused arteries to become
stiffer, and explored potential reasons for stiffening arteries.