Association of heavy menstrual bleeding with cardiovascular disease in US female hospitalizations

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Gynecology
• Public Health

Background:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common gynecological condition.
• HMB and irregular menstruation (IM) are linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.
• The association between HMB and CVD outcomes, with or without IM, remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between HMB and various CVD outcomes.
• To analyze CVD risks associated with HMB in the presence and absence of IM.
• To utilize a nationally representative sample of female hospitalizations in the US for this analysis.

Main Methods:

• Data from the National Inpatient Sample Database (2017) for female hospitalizations aged 18-70 years with HMB diagnosis.
• HMB defined by ICD-10 codes for excessive/frequent bleeding.
• Logistic regression and propensity score matching used to assess associations with CVD outcomes (MACE, CHD, stroke, HF, AF/arrhythmia, MI, DM).

Main Results:

• Among 2,430,851 hospitalizations, HMB was present in 0.68% (age ≤40) and 0.86% (age >40).
• In women ≤40 years, HMB was significantly associated with increased odds of MACE, CHD, stroke, HF, and AF/arrhythmia.
• Associations were not robust in women >40 years; HMB with IM showed stronger links to CHD and AF in younger women.

Conclusions:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding is linked to cardiovascular events in young women.
• Routine screening for HMB can improve CVD risk stratification and management in young women.
• Further research may explore the specific mechanisms linking HMB to CVD.