Cardiovascular Health and Fertility in Women: An Overview
Fibra is ending Health Health Month by talking about how fertility can relate to cardiovascular health. These two topics seem to be so different, yet there are a few links between the two.
Links Between Heart Health and Fertility Issues
Women who struggle with fertility are at a greater risk of health disease. Women experiencing fertility issues, especially women with PCOS (UNC Fertility), have a greater likelihood of experiencing some of the risk factors of heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes (BHF).
Women with PCOS tend to have higher insulin levels, leading to higher levels of cholesterol and plaque buildup, which narrows the arteries (Kansas).
A study showed that women who successfully went through fertility therapy were at half the risk of heart disease than women who delivered without treatments (PubMed). The study also found no link between successful fertility treatment and increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life (PubMed). However, more research needs to be done on the link between fertility and heart health. It’s difficult to tell whether improvements were made because of fertility treatment, or because of lifestyle changes (PubMed).
How to Minimize Health Risks
It’s important to check in with your doctor to get your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar checked, especially if you are struggling with fertility and/or heart disease runs in the family (Kansas Health System).
Changes made to your lifestyle can reduce health risks.
- Reduce stress, which is easier said than done. Implement some techniques into your day-to-day life, such as journaling, going for walks, meditating, and anything else that may work for you.
- Eating a healthy diet. Include more fruits and vegetables and whole grains in your diet. Try to reduce or limit your salt intake (Mayo Clinic). But don’t be too strict on yourself – allow yourself to have a treat occasionally!
- Light exercise: individuals who do light-intensity exercise have a reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease (MedicalNewsToday). It doesn’t have to be much – just doing some housework or going for a walk daily can reduce your risk of cardiovascular death by 24% (MedicalNewsToday).
The best part? Not only will these minimize your risk of heart disease, but they can also potentially improve your fertility! Reduced stress, a healthy diet, and moderate exercise are lifestyle choices that can improve fertility.
Summarizing Cardiovascular Health and Fertility in Women
More research needs to be done on the link between women’s fertility and their cardiovascular health.
It is important to consult with your healthcare provider if you feel that something is wrong.
References:
Heart Disease and Infertility: Understanding the Connection. (2017, January 31). UNC Fertility Clinic | Raleigh, North
Carolina Fertility. https://uncfertility.com/fertility-blog/heart-disease-and-infertility-understanding-the-connection/
Is there a link between infertility and heart problems? (2022, September). Welcome to British Heart Foundation – BHF.
Key connections between infertility and heart disease you didn’t know existed. (n.d.). The University of Kansas Health
System. https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/news-room/blog/0001/01/infertility-and-heart-disease-connection
Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 28). Heart-healthy diet: 8 steps to prevent heart disease.
Paddock, C. (2018, January 29). Just 30 minutes of light exercise each day can benefit health. Medical and health
information. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320760
Udell, J. A., Lu, H., & Redelmeier, D. A. (2013, October 29). Long-term cardiovascular risk in women prescribed
fertility therapy. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23916924/
