Cardiovascular disease risk in women with PCOS

Cardiac disease is the number one killer in women. Adolescents and reproductive age women with PCOS have an increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. These include obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes, hypertension, mood disorders and metabolic syndrome. There is sufficient evidence to confirm the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in women with PCOS compared to age matched controls. There are, however, few prospective studies examining non-fatal and fatal cardiac events in women with well-defined PCOS. Future directions of research should include longitudinal studies in peri- and post-menopausal women with prospectively defined PCOS to better estimate the risk of cardiac morbidity and mortality in this high-risk population. In the meantime, regular screening for risk factors and timely early interventions are critical to reduce the overall risk burden.