Reproductive-aged women with common menstrual cycle conditions may be at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, according to two new studies published Monday by the American Heart Association.
“Menstruation-related factors in general are important to look at since they are specific to the young female population, which is a population overlooked by current risk prediction tools that were developed based on an older and predominantly male population,” said Eugenia Alleva, one of the authors of the studies who is a postdoctoral research fellow at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
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Women with dysmenorrhea (or chronic intensely painful periods) were found to be twice as likely to have an increased risk for heart attacks and ischemic heart disease, which is when the heart weakens due to reduced blood flow.
Dysmenorrhea is the most prevalent menstrual disorder and affects between 50% and 90% of women, particularly young women who have never been pregnant. Other symptoms of dysmenorrhea include lower back pain, pain radiation down the legs, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue.
Alleva said that dysmenorrhea "is associated heightened stress and disruption of the autonomic nervous system, which influences heart and vessel function. ... Both inflammation and stress are also associated with increased cardiovascular risk, with stress particularly noted for its relevance in heart disease among young women."
The other study published Monday by the AHA found that teenage girls with polycystic ovary syndrome had a 30% higher risk of blood pressure than girls without the condition.
Although it often goes undiagnosed, up to 6 million women in the United States have PCOS. This means PCOS is the most prevalent hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age.
The causes of PCOS are unknown, but many women with the condition have insulin resistance and higher cholesterol. Weight gain and difficulty losing weight are common symptoms.
“While data are emerging on the cardiovascular effects of polycystic ovary syndrome throughout the lifespan, few studies have examined associated health risks specifically among adolescents,” said study author Sherry Zhang, an internal medicine resident physician at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center in California.
"These studies are extremely important because they provide insight into how factors specific to young women may impact future cardiovascular risk," said Harmony Reynolds, the chairwoman of the AHA's Committee on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in Women and Underrepresented Populations.
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Reynolds added that both studies highlight "the important role a woman’s gynecologist can play in her overall health, including heart health."
"Because many women may use annual 'well-woman' visits to their gynecologist as their primary point of care, these visits offer an exceptional opportunity to talk about risks unique to women, along with the importance of maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle, which is a cornerstone of reducing cardiovascular disease risk," Reynolds said.