Women diagnosed with uterine fibroids face a significantly elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a study of over 2.7 million women in the United States. The research, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, revealed an 81% increase in the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease in women with fibroids compared to those without.
The study, which followed participants between 2000 and 2022, examined records of more than 450,000 women with uterine fibroids and 2.25 million women without the condition. Researchers found that after ten years, women with fibroids exhibited a higher incidence of coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disorders—including stroke—and peripheral artery disease.
The risk was particularly pronounced among women under 40, with a 251% increase in cardiovascular disease diagnoses for those with fibroids. Data indicated that women with fibroids were nearly twice as likely to experience a cardiovascular event, with 5.4% affected compared to 3% in the control group.
Uterine fibroids, benign tumors that develop in the uterine muscle, affect an estimated one in three women, particularly those between the ages of 30 and 50. Symptoms can range from painful intercourse and irregular bleeding to complications affecting fertility. The study’s findings suggest a previously underappreciated link between this common gynecological condition and long-term cardiovascular health.
“Our results suggest that fibroids could constitute an important marker to identify women at high cardiovascular risk,” stated Dr. Julia D. DiTosto, the lead author of the study. The research highlights the need for increased cardiovascular screening and awareness among women diagnosed with uterine fibroids.
Approximately 30% of Caucasian women and up to 50% of women of African descent are estimated to be affected by uterine fibroids. The study’s authors suggest that women with a fibroid diagnosis should be informed about the potential cardiovascular risks and encouraged to adopt preventative health measures.
