Cardiologists at the Southern Medical University in China have found that very long or short menstrual cycles are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and atrial fibrillation. The results of the research have been published magazine Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA).
The normal duration of the menstrual cycle is 22-34 days on average. But for some women it is irregular, meaning that its duration varies greatly each month. About 20% of women suffer from this ailment. Previous research has shown that irregular menstrual cycles are significantly associated with numerous risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
In the new study, scientists analyzed data from 58,000 women collected over a 12-year period. At the start of the study, they were approximately 46 years old and had no cardiovascular disease.
The results showed that menstrual cycles of less than 21 days or more than 35 days were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease – 19% higher in these women compared with volunteers with normal menstrual cycles.
A shorter menstrual cycle was associated with a 29% increased risk of cardiovascular events, including coronary heart disease, heart attack, atrial fibrillation, stroke and heart failure. Longer duration was associated with an 11% increased risk of these cardiovascular events.
However, the length of the menstrual cycle was not associated with an increased risk of stroke or heart failure.
“Our analysis shows that women with irregular periods may experience adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The findings are of public health importance for the prevention of atrial fibrillation and heart attacks in women and highlight the importance of monitoring menstrual cycle characteristics throughout a woman’s reproductive life.”
Source: Gazeta
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