Common gynaecological conditions linked to higher heart disease risk

Some gynaecological disorders such as endometriosis could be linked to a higher risk of heart disease and conditions affecting the brain, according to a new study.

Researchers reviewed 28 studies that included over 3 million individuals and looked at gynaecological disorders including endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea) and irregular menstrual cycles.

“We decided to look into [the gynaecological disorders’] potential link with cardiovascular disease because heart disease remains the number one cause of death worldwide, and understanding whether people with these conditions face an elevated risk is an important piece of the preventive health puzzle,” Mathew Leonardi, an assistant professor at McMaster University in Canada and one of the study’s authors, told Euronews Health in an email.

People with at least one of the gynaecological disorders had a 28 per cent higher risk of having cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease, according to the findings published in the journal Heart.

Cerebrovascular diseases are those that can impact the blood flow to the brain.

The increased risk was particularly notable for individuals with endometriosis or PCOS, which is a condition that affects how a woman’s ovaries work.

“Another interesting finding was that, in some studies, this increased risk seemed to manifest relatively early in life, suggesting that early intervention or monitoring might make a difference over the long term,” Leonardi said.

The meta-analysis didn’t suggest any increased mortality risk for patients suffering from one of the gynaecological disorders. 

The study adds “to the growing body of evidence” that non-malignant gynaecological diseases “are not just localised health concerns but may have systemic effects” that could increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, Dr Rachel Bond, a cardiologist with Dignity Health Medical Group in the US who didn’t take part in the study, told Euronews Health in an email.

Chronic low-grade inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic issues such as insulin resistance could play a part in linking the different conditions, experts said.

“These mechanisms likely overlap and reinforce each other, highlighting the complexity of linking gynaecological and cardiovascular health,” Leonardi said. 

Leading cause of death among women

Cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke are the leading cause of death globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

This is true in the countries of the European Union with these diseases accounting for 43 per cent of deaths among women and 36 per cent of deaths among men.

“The takeaway is to be proactive – but not alarmed,” Leonardi said, advising patients with gynaecological disorders to stay vigilant about cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight.

“They may want to discuss more frequent or early screenings with their healthcare team, especially if they’re on long-term hormonal treatments or have had surgical interventions,” he added, also mentioning heart-healthy habits such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management.

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“Clinicians should adopt a more integrated approach to care for women with [non-malignant gynaecological disorders], incorporating cardiovascular risk assessment and prevention strategies into routine gynaecological care,” Bond added.

The researchers cautioned that the quality of the studies included in the meta-analysis varied.

They are planning on conducting further research and getting “larger, higher-quality studies that better isolate the timing and the specific pathways underlying the connection”.