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Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine (RCM) is published by IMR Press from Volume 19 Issue 1 (2018). Previous articles were published by another publisher in Open Access under a CC-BY (or CC-BY-NC-ND) licence, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with MedReviews, LLC.
Open Access
Review
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome:
A Major Unrecognized
Cardiovascular Risk Factor
in Women
Show Less
1
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Androgen-Related Disorders, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, and The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
2020
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
2021
Division of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Rev. Cardiovasc. Med. 2009, 10(2), 83–90;
Published: 30 June 2009
Abstract
The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is estimated to be nearly 10%
among reproductive age women. PCOS may represent the largest underappreciated
segment of the female population at risk of cardiovascular disease. Clinicians providing
care to women of childbearing age must recognize the presenting clues, including
irregular menses, hirsutism, alopecia, hyperandrogenemia, and obesity. The pathophysiology
of PCOS is complex, involving the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis, ovarian
theca cell hyperplasia, hyperinsulinemia, and a multitude of other cytokine- and
adipocyte-driven factors. Cardiac risk factors associated with PCOS have public health
implications and should drive early screening and intervention measures. There are no
consensus guidelines regarding screening for cardiovascular disease in patients with
PCOS. Fasting lipid profiles and glucose examinations should be erformed regularly.
Carotid intimal medial thickness examinations should begin at age 30 years, and
coronary calcium screening should begin at age 45 years. Treatment of the associated
cardiovascular risk factors, including insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia,
should be incorporated into the routine PCOS patient wellness care program.
Keywords
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
Obesity
Carotid intimal medial thickness
Coronary calcium screening