Comparison of peripheral and cerebral vascular function between premenopausal, early and late postmenopausal females.

; P < 0.001) were different between groups. All groups exceeded the guidelines for recommended physical activity. There were no group differences in blood pressure (P = 0.382), arterial stiffness (P = 0.129), flow-mediated dilatation (P = 0.696) or MCAv CVR (P = 0.442). The ICA CVR blood flow response was lower in PRE compared with L-POST (26.5 ± 19.2 vs. 47.8 ± 12.6%; P = 0.010), but after adjusting for age these differences were no longer present. Flow-mediated dilatation (r = 0.313, P = 0.105) and ICA CVR (r = -0.154, P = 0.495) were not associated with the estradiol concentration. There were no associations between the estradiol concentration and NO bioavailability. These results suggest that in healthy, physically active early and late postmenopausal females, vascular and cerebrovascular function is generally well preserved.