Uterine Fibroids and Heart Disease: The Hidden Link

When most women think about uterine fibroids, they think about heavy periods, pelvic pain, bloating, or fertility concerns. What many do not realize is that fibroids may also be connected to long-term heart and blood vessel health. Emerging research shows that fibroids are not just a reproductive issue. They may be a sign of a deeper metabolic and cardiovascular imbalance occurring within the body. Understanding this connection can help women take earlier action to protect both their uterus and their heart.

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. They are extremely common, especially in women between the ages of 30 and 50. Fibroids are driven by hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, and they often grow during reproductive years.

While many women focus on the size or location of fibroids, research suggests that fibroids may reflect broader changes in the body’s blood vessels, hormones, and metabolism.

Fibroids and High Blood Pressure

Multiple studies have shown that women with fibroids are more likely to have hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. High blood pressure places extra strain on the arteries and the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke over time.

Fibroids may contribute to this risk in several ways:

• Chronic inflammation linked to fibroids can damage blood vessels

• Hormonal imbalance can affect vascular tone and circulation

• Heavy bleeding may stress the cardiovascular system

Women with fibroids often develop high blood pressure at younger ages, which raises concern for long-term heart health.

The Role of Obesity and Metabolic Health

Research also shows a strong link between fibroids and obesity. Excess body fat increases estrogen production, which can contribute to the growth of fibroids. At the same time, obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Women with fibroids are more likely to have:

• Insulin resistance

• Elevated blood sugar

• Higher body mass index (BMI)

These metabolic changes increase strain on the heart and raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Abnormal Cholesterol and Blood Lipids

Another important connection is abnormal serum lipids, which refers to unhealthy cholesterol levels. Women with fibroids have been found to have higher levels of:

• LDL cholesterol (often called “bad cholesterol”)

• Triglycerides

These changes can lead to plaque buildup inside the arteries, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Early Artery Changes

One of the most concerning findings in research is the association between fibroids and increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). CIMT measures the thickness of artery walls in the neck and is considered an early marker of cardiovascular disease.

Increased CIMT means:

• Arteries are becoming thicker and less flexible

• Blood flow may be compromised

• Cardiovascular disease may be developing silently

Women with fibroids have been shown to have greater CIMT compared to women without fibroids, even before symptoms of heart disease appear.

Why This Connection Matters

Fibroids may act as an early warning signal that the body is under hormonal, inflammatory, and metabolic stress. Instead of viewing fibroids as an isolated uterine issue, they should be seen as part of a bigger picture involving:

• Hormone balance

• Inflammation

• Blood vessel health

• Metabolic function

This explains why many women continue to struggle even after surgery if these root issues are not addressed.

Taking a Whole-Body Approach to Healing

If you have fibroids, it is also important to also pay attention to your heart health. This includes monitoring:

• Blood pressure

• Cholesterol levels

• Blood sugar markers

• Inflammation markers

A comprehensive healing plan that supports liver detoxification, hormone balance, gut health, nutrient status, and inflammation can benefit both fibroid recovery and cardiovascular protection.

Final Thoughts

The growing link between uterine fibroids and cardiovascular disease reminds us that the body works as an interconnected system. Fibroids are not just about periods or pelvic pain. They may reflect deeper imbalances that affect long-term health.

By addressing fibroids at the root level, women can support not only reproductive wellness but also heart health, energy, and longevity. Your body is always communicating. Fibroids may be one of its ways of asking for deeper support.

References:

Aissani B, Zhang K, Wiener H. Genetic determinants of uterine fibroid size in the multiethnic NIEHS uterine fibroid study. Int J Mol Epidemiol Genet 2015;6:9–19.

Aksoy Y, Sivri N, Karaoz B, Sayin C, Yetkin E. Carotid intima-media thickness: a new marker of patients with uterine leiomyoma. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2014;175:54–57.

Alberti KG, Zimmet P, Shaw J. Metabolic syndrome—a new world-wide definition. A consensus statement from the International Diabetes Federation. Diabet Med 2006;23:469–480.

Andreassi MG, Botto N, Colombo MG, Biagini A, Clerico A. Genetic instability and atherosclerosis: can somatic mutations account for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Environ Mol Mutagen 2000;35:265–269.

Baird DD, Dunson DB, Hill MC, Cousins D, Schectman JM. High cumulative incidence of uterine leiomyoma in black and white women: ultrasound evidence. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;188:100–107.

Bedogni G, Bellentani S, Miglioli L, Masutti F, Passalacqua M, Castiglione A, Tiribelli C. The fatty liver index: a simple and accurate predictor of hepatic steatosis in the general population. BMC Gastroenterol 2006;6:33.

Belfiore F, Iannello S, Volpicelli G. Insulin sensitivity indices calculated from basal and OGTT-induced insulin, glucose, and FFA levels. Mol Genet Metab 1998;63:134–141.

Benditt EP, Benditt JM. Evidence for a monoclonal origin of human atherosclerotic plaques. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1973;70:1753–1756.

Borgfeldt C, Andolf E. Transvaginal ultrasonographic findings in the uterus and the endometrium: low prevalence of leiomyoma in a random sample of women age 25–40 years. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2000;79:202–207.

Boynton-Jarrett R, Rich-Edwards J, Malspeis S, Missmer SA, Wright R. A prospective study of hypertension and risk of uterine leiomyomata. Am J Epidemiol 2005;161:628–638.

Brummer TH, Jalkanen J, Fraser J, Heikkinen AM, Kauko M, Makinen J, Puistola U, Sjoberg J, Tomas E, Harkki P. FINHYST 2006—national prospective 1-year survey of 5,279 hysterectomies. Hum Reprod 2009;24:2515–2522.

Chandrasekhar Y, Heiner J, Osuamkpe C, Nagamani M. Insulin-like growth factor I and II binding in human myometrium and leiomyomas. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1992;166:64–69.

Conroy RM, Pyorala K, Fitzgerald AP, Sans S, Menotti A, De Backer G, De Bacquer D, Ducimetiere P, Jousilahti P, Keil Uet al. . Estimation of ten-year risk of fatal cardiovascular disease in Europe: the SCORE project. Eur Heart J 2003;24:987–1003.

Cramer SF, Horiszny JA, Leppert P. Epidemiology of uterine leiomyomas. With an etiologic hypothesis. J Reprod Med 1995;40:595–600.

D'Agostino RB Sr, Vasan RS, Pencina MJ, Wolf PA, Cobain M, Massaro JM, Kannel WB. General cardiovascular risk profile for use in primary care: the Framingham Heart Study. Circulation 2008;117:743–753.

DeFronzo RA, Abdul-Ghani M. Assessment and treatment of cardiovascular risk in prediabetes: impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose. Am J Cardiol 2011;108:3B–24B.

Englund K, Lindblom B, Carlstrom K, Gustavsson I, Sjoblom P, Blanck A. Gene expression and tissue concentrations of IGF-I in human myometrium and fibroids under different hormonal conditions. Mol Hum Reprod 2000;6:915–920.

Farquhar CM, Steiner CA. Hysterectomy rates in the United States 1990–1997. Obstet Gynecol 2002;99:229–234.

Fernandez H, Farrugia M, Jones SE, Mauskopf JA, Oppelt P, Subramanian D. Rate, type, and cost of invasive interventions for uterine myomas in Germany, France, and England. J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2009;16:40–46.

Gutt M, Davis CL, Spitzer SB, Llabre MM, Kumar M, Czarnecki EM, Schneiderman N, Skyler JS, Marks JB. Validation of the insulin sensitivity index (ISI(0,120)): comparison with other measures. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2000;47:177–184.

Hashimoto K, Azuma C, Kamiura S, Kimura T, Nobunaga T, Kanai T, Sawada M, Noguchi S, Saji F. Clonal determination of uterine leiomyomas by analyzing differential inactivation of the X-chromosome-linked phosphoglycerokinase gene. Gynecol Obstet Invest 1995;40:204–208.

Haust MD, Las Heras J, Harding PG. Fat-containing uterine smooth muscle cells in “toxemia”: possible relevance to atherosclerosis. Science 1977;195:1353–1354.