Uterine fibroids may be linked to a much higher risk of heart disease, according to a large study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers reviewed health records from hundreds of thousands of women and found that those diagnosed with fibroids were significantly more likely to develop cardiovascular disease later on. The findings suggest fibroids may signal broader health risks beyond the reproductive system.
The study followed women for up to 10 years and tracked serious outcomes such as heart attacks, strokes and peripheral artery disease. Even after accounting for factors like weight, smoking, diabetes and blood pressure, women with fibroids still had about an 80% higher risk of major heart events. The link was strongest in women under 40, pointing to a potential early warning sign for heart risk.
Researchers stress that fibroids do not appear to directly cause heart disease. Instead, both conditions may share underlying drivers, especially chronic inflammation, which can damage blood vessels and affect metabolic health. The findings highlight the need to view fibroids as a whole-body condition and to consider cardiovascular screening and prevention as part of long-term care.
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