Fibroids may be a risk factor for heart disease, study suggests

• Researchers affiliated with the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia recently studied the relationship between uterine fibroids and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
• The researchers sought to expand on prior research regarding the potential connection between fibroids and cardiovascular heart disease.
• They found a strong association between uterine fibroids and heart disease, as individuals with fibroids had around an 80% higher chance of developing heart disease compared to those without fibroids.

Uterine fibroids are common and affect many women. While some do not experience symptoms when they have fibroids, others have symptoms such as heavy periods, pelvic pressure, or pain.

A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that the impact of developing uterine fibroids may go beyond reproductive health.

The study, which built on previous research, found that individuals with uterine fibroids may have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

While the study does not prove that fibroids directly cause heart problems, it does show that the two conditions may be connected.