PCOD and cardiovascular problems are mostly associated with insulin resistance, obesity, and chronic inflammation. In addition to having an impact on reproductive health, PCOD, or polycystic ovarian disease, raises the risk of heart disease considerably. A defining feature of PCOD, insulin resistance raises blood sugar levels, which damages blood vessels and increases the risk of diabetes. PCOD is often associated with obesity, which also raises the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart diseases. Hormonal irregularities can contribute to persistent inflammation, which increases the risk of heart-related complications and causes worsening of pre-existing ones.
These factors altogether increase the risk of heart attacks, stroke, and atherosclerosis. Also, testosterone levels are greater in women with PCOD, which may further impair heart health and metabolic function. The long-term effects on heart health can be considerably minimized by recognizing these concerns early and taking preventative measures with behavioural changes, medication, and routine checkups. Let’s get into the details to know exactly how PCOD increases the risk of heart disease.
Read Also: PCOD vs. PCOS: Key Differences and Their Impact on the Body
What is PCOD?
PCOD, or polycystic ovary disease, is a hormonal dysfunction that occurs during the reproductive years of a woman. You might not get periods regularly if you are suffering from PCOD. Or you can have periods that may stretch for many days. A hormone called androgen may also be present in excess in your body. In PCOD, several cysts, small fluid-filled sacs, form around the ovary’s periphery. The immature eggs are present within the small cysts filled with fluid which are called follicles. Eggs are not regularly released by the follicles. Although the exact cause of PCOD’s is not known. Getting diagnosed early and taking timely treatment with the following effective weight loss schedule may reduce the likelihood of developing long-term issues including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
How PCOD Increases the Risk of Heart Disease?
It’s difficult to live with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Your body overproduces androgens, the “guy hormone,” which causes acne, irregular periods, and hair in all the wrong places. You’re also fighting weight gain. Even if you’re not interested in having children right now, you may consider the future and question whether your body would cooperate in the process of becoming pregnant.
Many women with PCOS are insulin resistant, which means that insulin accumulates in the body, making it harder to maintain normal blood glucose levels. This is a risk factor for diabetes, thus women with PCOS are more vulnerable to getting the disease. In fact, 35 percent of women with PCOS have prediabetes, and 10% acquire diabetes by the age of 40. High androgen levels also raise the risk of diabetes. Because excess insulin causes weight gain, women with PCOS are more likely to be overweight or obese, particularly in the belly. This abdominal fat, known as visceral fat, can cause higher triglyceride levels “bad cholesterol” and decreased HDL, or “good” cholesterol.
Women with PCOD often suffer from elevated blood pressure, elevated blood cholesterol levels, elevated insulin levels, and glucose intolerance, all of which raise the risk of diabetes and heart disease in those who have PCOD. Because of this, it is anticipated that women with PCOS are more prone to experience heart problems.
Role of Insulin Resistance
A key factor that connects PCOD to a higher risk of heart disease is insulin resistance. Blood sugar levels rise and the pancreas is forced to generate more insulin in women with PCOD because the body’s cells become less sensitive to insulin. In addition to causing weight gain and metabolic abnormalities, this excess insulin directly damages blood vessels. High insulin levels raise the risk of hypertension, heart attacks, and stroke by increasing the accumulation of plaque in the arteries over time, a condition known as atherosclerosis. Also insulin resistance may also play a role in increasing bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and lowering the levels of good cholesterol (HDL), further worsening heart health.
Role of Obesity
Obesity is greatly associated with PCOD, raises the risk of heart disease by increasing inflammation, cholesterol, and insulin resistance. The accumulation of arterial plaque and high blood pressure caused by excess belly fat can result in heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure. Obesity also makes hormonal imbalances worse, which results in worsening of heart issues and PCOD. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and controlling weight are essential for lowering these risks.
Role of Inflammation
One of the main factors raising the risk of heart disease in PCOD is chronic inflammation. Increased blood pressure, arterial plaque accumulation, and insulin resistance are all influenced by elevated levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP). An increased risk of heart attacks and strokes results from this chronic inflammation’s damage to blood vessels. For women with PCOD, heart health protection requires controlling inflammation with a nutritious diet, regular physical activity, and therapeutic intervention.
How to Decrease Risk of Heart Disease in PCOD? Lifestyle Measures & Management Tips
Managing your concerns is the main goal of PCOS treatment. This might include obesity, acne, hirsutism (abnormal hair growth), or infertility. Medication or lifestyle modifications may also be advised for managing PCOS.
- Lifestyle Measures: Your doctor could advise you to lose weight by following a low-calorie diet and engaging in moderate exercise. Your condition may improve even if you lose only a small amount of weight, like 5% of your body weight. In addition to helping with infertility, losing weight may improve the efficacy of PCOS drugs prescribed by your doctor. You can collaborate with a qualified dietitian and your gynaecologist to identify the most effective weight-loss plan.
- Medications: Your doctor might advise you on certain medications such as birth control pills, progestin therapy, oral anti-estrogen medications, and oral hypoglycemics.
Conclusion
Being diagnosed with PCOS might be daunting, but don’t worry: with a healthy lifestyle, you can control the disease. Women with PCOD should watch their food and exercise to lower their risk of diabetes and heart disease. Everyone should live a healthy lifestyle, but especially these ladies because they are at a higher risk. Young women often exercise less than young males. They are concerned about infertility and irregular menstruation rather than their heart health. Such women must be very watchful.
This is how PCOD increases the risk of heart disease through insulin resistance, obesity, & inflammation. Get personalized advice from experts at Asian Heart Institute. Book your consultation now!
FAQs
Q1: Can managing PCOD reduce heart disease risk?
A: Yes, adopting a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a balanced diet, weight management, and medical intervention can significantly lower heart disease risk in women with PCOD.
Q2: What are the warning signs of heart disease in women with PCOD?
A: Symptoms include high blood pressure, chest pain, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, and irregular heartbeat. Regular check-ups are essential for early detection and prevention.
Q3: What lifestyle changes can help prevent heart disease in women with PCOD?
A: Eating a heart-healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol can help reduce risk.
