Introduction:irregular periods and heart disease
A study found that the risk of heart disease is considerably higher for women who have irregular menstrual cycles. Up to 5% of American women of reproductive age may be affected by this disorder, which raises the risk of heart disease by 19% and irregular heartbeat by 40%.
irregular periods and heart disease: Study Findings
In a 12-year research that included more than 58,000 women, it was discovered that 3.4% of those with irregular periods and 2.5% of those with regular cycles experienced heart disease. These findings underscore the need of monitoring menstrual cycle features throughout a woman’s reproductive life and have significant implications for the prevention of heart disease in women.
The Menstrual Cycle and the Study:
The measurement of the menstrual cycle starts from the beginning day of one period and extends to the first day of the following period.
The UK BioBank, a massive population health research project, provided the study with substantial health data. The participants were 46 on average, and none of them had cardiovascular disease at the beginning of the trial.
Cardiovascular Events and Irregular Cycles:
There were 1,623 cardiovascular events among the individuals after 11 years and 8 months, including coronary heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Compared to women with normal periods, those with irregular cycles had a greater risk of atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease.
Link Between Irregular Cycles and Heart Disease:
It’s unclear exactly how irregular menstrual periods relate to heart disease. However, prior studies have demonstrated a clear correlation between irregular cycles and heart disease risk factors such as excessive cholesterol, hypertension, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Estrogen in particular, which fluctuates during the menstrual cycle, is important for cardiovascular health and can protect the heart.
Implications and Conclusion:
Menstrual cycles that are irregular are frequent but unhealthy because they signify a malfunctioning hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.
Given the increasing prevalence of heart disease in women, it is vital to explore risk variables such as menstrual cycle features. Tracking and comprehending these relationships can aid in the prevention and early identification of heart disease in women.