Infertile Women Face Higher Risk of Heart Disease Following Assisted Reproduction

Women with a history of infertility are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular conditions later in life. This risk is particularly significant among younger women and those who have undergone fertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The findings, presented at the joint congress of the European Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and the European Society of Endocrinology, highlight the importance of considering reproductive history in long-term heart health assessments.

Infertility affects approximately one in six women of reproductive age worldwide. While treatments like IVF have helped many women conceive, concerns about their long-term health implications are growing. A comprehensive review by Greek researchers analyzed data from 21 studies involving nearly 179,000 women with infertility and over 3.3 million women without fertility issues. The study revealed that women with infertility face a 14% higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, compared to women without such a history.

Specifically, women under 40 with fertility issues experience a 20% increased risk of cardiovascular problems, emphasizing the vulnerability of younger women. Those who have undergone ART treatments also show a modest 4% increased risk. Lead researcher Dr. Elena Armeni emphasized that this extensive meta-analysis provides robust evidence linking infertility to future cardiovascular risks and suggests that infertility might serve as an early warning sign for women’s heart health.

Dr. Armeni noted that recognizing infertility as a potential indicator could enable healthcare providers to implement earlier screening and preventive measures. The research team plans to conduct future prospective studies to better understand how different causes of infertility and exposure to ART influence long-term cardiovascular outcomes. The goal is to identify at-risk groups and develop guidelines to improve cardiovascular care for women with a history of infertility.

These insights underline the need for integrating reproductive history into routine health assessments and highlight the importance of ongoing research to unravel the biological mechanisms behind these associations, ultimately aiming to enhance preventive strategies and heart health outcomes for women.