Women With PCOS Face Fourfold Higher Heart Disease Risk, Lancet Study Finds

PMOS may affect more than your periods-it could also put your heart at risk.

A new study published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women's Health has found that women with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), previously known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), have a four times higher risk of developing heart disease than women without the condition.

PMOS is a common hormonal and metabolic disorder that affects women of reproductive age. It is often linked to irregular periods, acne, excess facial or body hair, weight gain, thinning hair, and difficulty getting pregnant. However, researchers say its effects go far beyond reproductive health.

The study analyzed health records of more than 413,000 women with PMOS and compared them with over 2 million women without the condition. The researchers found that women with PMOS were much more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, even after accounting for other risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

PMOS can increase the risk of heart disease because it is often associated with insulin resistance, high cholesterol, obesity, high blood pressure, and long-term inflammation. These conditions can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke over time.

The risk may be even higher for women who smoke, are physically inactive, have diabetes, high cholesterol, excess weight, or a family history of heart disease.

Experts say the good news is that this risk can be reduced with early diagnosis and healthy lifestyle changes. They recommend maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising for at least 150 minutes a week, avoiding smoking, getting enough sleep, and regularly checking blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.

Researchers say PMOS should be treated as a long-term health condition, not just a fertility or menstrual problem. Looking after heart health early could help women with PMOS stay healthier in the future.

REFERENCE: Alur-Gupta S, DiTosto J, Lewey J et al.; Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome: a nationwide, US, claims-based, retrospective, longitudinal, cohort study; The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health, 2026; DOI: 10.1016/S3050-5038(26)00090-7