A simple daily supplement could hold the key to protecting women's cardiovascular health after menopause.
For many women, the transition through menopause brings more than just hot flashes and sleep disturbances—it marks a period of increased vulnerability to cardiovascular disease. Emerging research now reveals that a simple nutritional intervention—Vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (MK-7)—may significantly improve vascular health by combating arterial stiffness and reducing blood pressure in post-menopausal women.
Cardiovascular disease remains a leading threat to women's health worldwide, particularly after menopause. While estrogen offers natural cardiovascular protection during reproductive years, its decline during menopause triggers changes that compromise vascular health.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in post-menopausal women
The hormonal shifts women experience during menopause do more than affect bone density—they directly impact the circulatory system. Estrogen plays a protective role in maintaining flexible, healthy blood vessels. As estrogen levels decrease, women become more susceptible to vascular stiffness and hypertension, key factors in cardiovascular disease development 1 5 .
Reduction in protective hormone levels during menopause
Increased arterial stiffness and blood pressure
Impaired activation of Matrix Gla Protein (MGP)
Higher incidence of heart disease and stroke
The biological mechanism behind this increased risk involves matrix Gla protein (MGP), a crucial inhibitor of vascular calcification. MGP requires vitamin K to activate—without it, calcium accumulates in arterial walls rather than in bones where it belongs. This deficiency leads to stiffening arteries and elevated blood pressure, creating a perfect storm for cardiovascular complications 1 5 6 .
Most people associate vitamin K with blood clotting, but research has revealed its critical role in vascular health. Vitamin K exists in two primary forms:
Found in leafy greens, primarily supports coagulation functions in the liver
Particularly MK-7, distributed throughout the body to activate proteins that regulate calcium metabolism 5
The distinction is crucial—while K1 handles clotting, K2 as MK-7 directs calcium to the bones and teeth while preventing its deposition in arteries and soft tissues 5 . This calcium-regulating function makes MK-7 particularly valuable for post-menopausal women, who often experience both bone density loss and increased cardiovascular risk simultaneously.
Reduces arterial calcification
Increases bone mineralization
Improves arterial flexibility
A groundbreaking double-blind, placebo-controlled study provides compelling evidence for MK-7's cardiovascular benefits in post-menopausal women. Published in 2025 in the journal Nutrients, this investigation specifically examined how one year of MK-7 supplementation affects vascular stiffness and blood pressure 1 2 .
Researchers recruited 165 women with low vitamin K status, indicated by high levels of desphospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein (dp-ucMGP >400 pmol/L)—a marker associated with increased cardiovascular risk 1 2 . Participants were divided into two groups:
82 women receiving 180 µg of MK-7 daily
Treatment83 women receiving a matching placebo
ControlThe trial employed multiple sophisticated measurements to assess vascular health at baseline and after one year:
This comprehensive approach allowed researchers to capture both biochemical and functional changes in the vascular system.
The results demonstrated compelling benefits for post-menopausal women taking MK-7:
MK-7 supplementation significantly reduced dp-ucMGP plasma levels in all participants, confirming improved vitamin K status. The reduction was particularly pronounced in post-menopausal women (p < 0.001) 1 .
The most striking finding was MK-7's effect on arterial stiffness. Post-menopausal women receiving MK-7 showed dramatically lower progression of vascular stiffness compared to the placebo group 1 :
| Group | Change in Vascular Stiffness (%) |
|---|---|
| MK-7 Supplementation | +9.4% ± 67.1 |
| Placebo | +49.1% ± 77.4 |
The difference between groups was statistically significant (p = 0.035), indicating that MK-7 substantially attenuated the natural progression of arterial stiffening 1 .
Post-menopausal women with high baseline stiffness index experienced notable blood pressure benefits after MK-7 supplementation 1 3 :
| Parameter | Change with MK-7 (%) | Statistical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Brachialis Blood Pressure | -3.0% ± 9.0 | p = 0.007 |
| Distensibility Coefficient | +13.3% ± 32.3 | p = 0.040 |
These improvements were particularly noteworthy when compared to the placebo group, which experienced significant increases in brachialis and carotid artery blood pressure during the same period 3 .
The analysis revealed that menopausal status significantly influenced the response to MK-7 supplementation. Post-menopausal women—particularly those with already elevated arterial stiffness—derived the greatest cardiovascular benefit 1 8 .
| Parameter | Pre/Peri-Menopausal Women | Post-Menopausal Women |
|---|---|---|
| Reduction in dp-ucMGP | Significant (p = 0.009) | Highly Significant (p < 0.001) |
| Impact on Vascular Stiffness | Less pronounced | Significant attenuation (p = 0.035) |
| Blood Pressure Improvement | Modest | Significant in high-stiffness subgroup |
Post-menopausal women with significant improvement
Pre/peri-menopausal women with improvement
Average blood pressure reduction in post-menopausal women
The research underscores that not all women benefit equally from MK-7 supplementation. The most dramatic improvements occurred in post-menopausal women who already had elevated arterial stiffness at the study's outset 1 3 8 .
"These results shine a light on the need for personalized interventions, as not all women benefit the same. Vitamin K2 supplementation could be particularly useful for those with elevated arterial stiffness, as they experienced the greatest improvements."
This suggests a targeted intervention strategy might be most effective—identifying women with early signs of vascular aging and implementing MK-7 supplementation to prevent further deterioration.
While these findings are promising, researchers note that more investigation is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind MK-7's cardiovascular benefits and to establish optimal dosing strategies for different populations 1 5 .
"This abstract strengthens the proof that K2 as MenaQ7 supports healthy cardiovascular function in aging women and can serve as an inexpensive tool for protecting heart health."
What remains clear is that maintaining adequate vitamin K status—particularly through the MK-7 form—represents a simple, safe, and potentially powerful approach to protecting cardiovascular health in post-menopausal women.
For the millions of women navigating the cardiovascular challenges of menopause, this research offers hope that a simple nutritional intervention could help maintain both vascular flexibility and overall quality of life in the years beyond menopause.