Julia DiTosto, MS, is a PhD student in the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics and a co-author on a new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association examining the relationship between uterine fibroids and long-term cardiovascular health.
Uterine fibroids are common among women of reproductive age, yet their relationship to broader health outcomes has received limited attention. Using insurance claims data from more than 2.7 million individuals in the United States, the study investigated the association between fibroids and cardiovascular disease.
The researchers observed that women with uterine fibroids had approximately twice the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease over a 10-year period compared to women without fibroids, including conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.
These findings indicate that uterine fibroids may help identify women who could benefit from closer cardiovascular monitoring.
With an estimated 25-35% of women of reproductive age diagnosed with fibroids–and up to 70% developing fibroids by age 50–the study underscores an important potential link between gynecologic and cardiovascular health that warrants further investigation.
The study has received national media attention, including coverage by NBC News.