PMOS linked to higher risk of heart attacks and strokes in young women: Study warns

Published 21 July 2026 · india

Young women with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome(PMOS), formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), may face a significantly higher risk of heart attacks, strokes and

Young women with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome(PMOS), formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), may face a significantly higher risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases, according to one of the largest studies to examine the link. Researchers analysed health insurance records of 413,450 women with PMOS and compared them with 2,067,250 women without the condition, making it one of the largest studies to examine cardiovascular risk in women with PMOS. Read Full Story The results reinforce growing evidence that PMOS is not merely a reproductive disorder but a metabolic condition that may affect heart health throughout life. ONE OF THE LARGEST STUDIES ON PMOS AND HEART DISEASE Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Rochester analysed health insurance records of 413,450 women aged 18 to 50 years with PMOS and compared them with more than two million women without the condition between 2000 and2022.

The study focused on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD), a group of conditions caused by fatty plaque build-up inside arteries that can restrict blood flow and trigger heart attacks or strokes. HEART DISEASE RISK REMAINED HIGH DESPITE OTHER RISK FACTORS Overall, women with PMOS had a 4.4-fold higher risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) than women without the condition, even after researchers adjusted for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other cardiovascular risk factors. When individual cardiovascular conditions were analysed, women with PMOS had a 3.45-fold higher risk of heart attack, a 3.50-fold higher risk of ischaemic stroke, nearly a fivefold higher risk of transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and a 4.98-fold higher risk of peripheral artery disease. Researchers also found that traditional cardiovascular risk factors explained only 36.3% of the association between PMOS and ASCVD, suggesting that the syndrome itself may independently contribute to cardiovascular disease.

WHY PMOS IS MORE THAN A REPRODUCTIVE DISORDER PMOS affects an estimated 10% to 13% of women of reproductive age worldwide. The condition is associated with a range of hormonal and metabolic symptoms, including Irregular or absent menstrual periods Higher than normal levels of androgens (male hormones) Acne Excess facial or body hair growth Infertility Insulin resistance To better reflect the condition's effects beyond the ovaries, international experts recently recommended renaming polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). EARLY SCREENING COULD HELP REDUCE FUTURE HEART RISK Researchers also found that traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol explained only 36.3% of the association between PMOS and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), suggesting that the syndrome itself may independently contribute to heart disease. The authors said the findings highlight the need for earlier cardiovascular screening, lifestyle counselling and long-term monitoring in women with PMOS, as many are diagnosed late and remain unaware of their long-term heart health risks.