When you think about heart disease, you probably picture high blood pressure, chest discomfort or problems with your arteries. But researchers are finding that certain hormonal and metabolic conditions may offer clues about cardiovascular health long before symptoms appear.
A large 2026 study involving more than 2.4 million women found that those diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), also referred to as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), experienced substantially higher rates of cardiovascular disease than women without the condition.
Researchers examined insurance records from 2000 through 2022, comparing 413,450 women with the condition against more than 2 million women without it. After accounting for several other factors, those with PCOS had more than four times the rate of atherosclerotic cardiovascular outcomes, including coronary artery, cerebrovascular and peripheral artery disease.
Insulin resistance, elevated blood sugar, blood pressure changes and other metabolic disturbances may help explain the association. However, because the research was observational, it cannot establish that PCOS directly causes heart disease or determine any individual's absolute risk.
The findings reinforce the importance of supporting metabolic health as part of a broader approach to cardiovascular wellness. Maintaining healthy blood sugar regulation, staying physically active, getting restorative sleep and choosing nutrient-dense whole foods can help support both metabolic and heart health.
For women living with PCOS, monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar and other cardiovascular risk factors may provide opportunities to identify concerns earlier. The larger takeaway is that your heart health is closely connected to what happens throughout your body, sometimes in ways that aren't immediately obvious.
SOURCE:
The Hearty Soul, September 30, 2026