Women diagnosed with uterine fibroids may face a significantly greater risk of heart disease, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The study, which analyzed data from more than 2.7 million U.S. women over a decade, found that heart disease risk was 81% higher among women with fibroids compared to those without.
“This study highlights yet another aspect in the unique factors that impact women in regard to the leading cause of death among them — cardiovascular disease,” said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., of the American Heart Association. The elevated risk persisted across all racial and ethnic groups, including Black, Hispanic, Asian, and White women. Among younger women under 40, the disparity was even more alarming: those with fibroids were more than three times as likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
Fibroids, benign growths in the uterus, affect up to 80% of women by age 50, yet remain understudied. “Our findings suggest that fibroids may serve as an important marker for identifying women at elevated cardiovascular risk,” said lead author Julia D. DiTosto. Researchers noted that fibroids and heart disease share biological pathways, such as smooth muscle growth and inflammation, which may explain the link.
Experts urge clinicians to use routine gynecologic visits as opportunities to address heart health, especially for women diagnosed with fibroids. These conversations could help reduce disparities in cardiovascular outcomes among women of color, who already face disproportionate risks.
See: “Uterine fibroids linked to elevated heart disease risk” (December 10, 2025)
