PCOS โขLinked too Substantially Higher Cardiovascular โขRisk in Women, Awareness Lagging
PARIS – Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death for French women, responsible for approximatelyโ 140,000โข deaths โannually, with over 18,000 attributed to stroke, accordingโ to Public Health France. Though, a critical risk โfactor -โ Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – remains largely unaddressed in preventative cardiology, leaving millions of women vulnerable. experts โare sounding the alarm over a “medical blind โspot” where women diagnosed with PCOS, often in their 20s โคand 30s due to menstrual cycle irregularities, are not routinely informed of their increased cardiac risk.
this gap in awarenessโข is particularly concerning given โขemerging research highlighting the metabolic consequences of PCOS. A 2024 โขstudy published in theโข International Journal of โMolecular โขSciences (MDPI) found women with PCOS also frequently exhibit renal hyperfiltration, an early indicator of metabolic stress that โcanโ escalate the risk of long-term cardiovascular and kidney complications. Despite theseโข findings, PCOS is not currently recognized as an official risk factor in cardiological recommendations.
PCOS-related cardiovascular risk stems from insulin resistance,โข a hallmark ofโ the condition.โ Lifestyle interventions – aโ 5-10% weight loss,โ 150 minutes of weekly physical activity, and a diet high in fiberโค and low in fast sugars – can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles.โ Experts recommend a comprehensive โmetabolicโฃ assessment โขupon PCOS diagnosis, with annual follow-up even in young women.
The role of general practitioners โคand gynecologistsโค is crucial in detecting warning signs and referring patients to cardiologists โคor endocrinologists when necessary. For some, medication โlike metformin, an antidiabetic drug that enhances insulin sensitivity, may also be beneficial. Addressing PCOS proactively,โข ratherโ than reactively, is vital to mitigating the significant โcardiovascular threat โคit poses to women.