University of Edinburgh

Wellcome Trust HDR UK

DL_2023_003

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. Yet women with heart disease remain understudied, under-recognised, underdiagnosed and undertreated. There is an unmet need for novel approaches to improve prediction of heart disease in reproductive aged women and to help target effective preventative therapies and optimise treatments to prevent heart disease. There is mounting evidence that experiencing abnormal menstrual bleeding is associated with the development of heart disease in women. The impact of volume and duration on risk of heart disease remains unknown. We hypothesize that heavy menstrual bleeding is an early predictor of heart disease and strokes and may improve prediction of future events in women. Using routine care data, we will evaluate the association between heavy menstrual bleeding and development of heart disease and strokes in women. This project will inform future studies whether heavy menstrual bleeding should be evaluated for risk assessment strategies in women to reduce heart disease burden in women.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in women. Yet women with cardiovascular disease remain understudied, under-recognised, underdiagnosed and undertreated. There is an unmet clinical need for novel approaches to improve risk prediction in reproductive aged women and to help target effective preventative therapies and optimise treatments to prevent future cardiovascular events in women. There is mounting evidence that experiencing abnormal menstrual bleeding is associated with the development of cardiovascular disease. The impact of volume and duration on cardiovascular risk remains unknown. A study of women having hysterectomy with ovarian conservation for benign indications showed a 33% increased risk of coronary artery disease when compared to matched controls. We hypothesize that heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is an early predictor of cardiovascular disease and may improve prediction of future cardiovascular events in women. To date there have been no systematic studies of the association between HMB and cardiovascular disease in women. Using routine care data, we will conduct a comprehensive analysis on the association between heavy menstrual bleeding and future cardiovascular events in women. This project will inform future studies whether heavy menstrual bleeding should be evaluated for risk assessment strategies in women to reduce cardiovascular disease burden in women.

Public Health Research

21/08/2023

De-Personalised

TRE