Linking Endometriosis, Anxiety, and Cardiovascular Health

Endometriosis Linked to a 42% Higher Risk of Atherosclerosis in Women Under 35

Key Points

Highlights

• Endometriosis is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis, a critical factor in cardiovascular diseases.
• Chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction may drive this link, emphasizing the systemic impact of endometriosis.
• Anxiety exacerbates the risk, with a threefold increase in women with both conditions.

Importance

• Atherosclerosis is a leading contributor to cardiovascular disease, underscoring the need for early risk identification in young women.
• Understanding the connection between endometriosis and cardiovascular health can inform targeted prevention and management strategies.

What's done here:

• Researchers from Montreal, Canada, conducted a cross-sectional study analyzing data from over 8 million hospitalized women under 35 years old.
• The study explored the association between endometriosis, anxiety, and atherosclerosis, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical factors, including age, race, smoking, obesity, and hypertension.

 Key results:

• Women with endometriosis had a 42% higher risk of developing atherosclerosis.
• Anxiety further increased the risk, with women having both conditions showing a threefold greater likelihood of atherosclerosis.
• Atherosclerosis prevalence in young women increased from 7 to 11 cases per 10,000 between 2007 and 2014.
• Hospitalized endometriosis cases declined over the same period, likely due to outpatient care for mild cases.
• Low income and certain insurance types were more common among patients with both conditions.

Lay Summary

Atherosclerosis, characterized by plaque buildup in arteries, is a major cause of heart attacks and strokes. Chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are key mechanisms in the development of atherosclerosis. While traditional risk factors like high blood pressure, obesity, and smoking are well-known, recent research highlights a potential link between endometriosis and atherosclerosis, especially in younger women.

A study by Kigloo et al.from Montreal, Canada, published in Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation, analyzed data from over 8 million hospitalized women under 35 using the HCUP NIS database. The findings showed that women with endometriosis had a 42% higher risk of developing atherosclerosis, and this risk tripled in those with concurrent anxiety. Atherosclerosis prevalence rose during the study period, while hospitalized cases of endometriosis declined, likely due to outpatient management of milder cases.

The study suggests that chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction may explain the link between endometriosis and atherosclerosis, with anxiety further amplifying the risk. These findings highlight the importance of understanding endometriosis as a potential cardiovascular risk factor and the value of screening for anxiety to improve patient outcomes.

Research Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39496254/