Uterine Fibroids Linked to 81% Higher Heart Disease Risk in Women

A groundbreaking 10-year study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals a startling connection between uterine fibroids and cardiovascular health, finding that women diagnosed with these common benign growths face an 81% higher long-term risk of heart disease compared to those without fibroids. The research, led by Julia D. DiTosto from the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, analyzed data from over 2.7 million U.S. women, including more than 450,000 with fibroids, and discovered that the elevated risk persisted across all racial and ethnic groups but was particularly alarming in women under 40, who showed a 251% increased risk. This comprehensive study, which addressed previous limitations of small sample sizes and lack of diversity, suggests that fibroids may serve as an important marker for identifying women at elevated cardiovascular risk, with sustained increased risk persisting up to a decade after diagnosis.

The study monitored participants for coronary artery disease (including heart attack), cerebrovascular disease (stroke and related conditions), and peripheral artery disease, finding that after 10 years, 5.4% of women with fibroids had experienced a cardiovascular event compared to just 3% of women without fibroids. According to the U.S. Office of Women's Health, as many as 20-80% of women develop fibroids by age 50, affecting nearly 26 million pre-menopausal women in the U.S., many of whom experience no symptoms. Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, emphasized that these findings highlight another unique factor impacting women regarding cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death among women, and present an opportunity for healthcare providers to discuss comprehensive heart health during routine well-woman visits.

While researchers caution that more studies are needed to confirm these findings in other populations before formal changes are made to cardiovascular risk assessment guidelines, they strongly recommend that women diagnosed with fibroids benefit from enhanced attention to heart health and risk factor management. The study's findings suggest that fibroids and cardiovascular disease may share biological pathways, including the growth of smooth muscle cells, excessive buildup of fibrous connective tissue, calcification, and inflammatory responses. This research underscores the critical need for integrated healthcare approaches that consider gynecologic conditions within the broader context of overall cardiovascular health, particularly given that many women use annual visits to their gynecologist or general practitioner as their primary point of care.