348. Women who struggle to conceive have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Women who struggle to conceive appear to have an increased risk of stroke, heart attack and angina, according to two new studies published in the European Journal of Epidemiology and Fertility and Sterility. Researchers at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health studied women who had tried to get pregnant for at least a year before they succeeded. They found that the women who experienced reduced fertility had a 20 percent higher risk of stroke and heart attack over the next 14 years. Looking at another group of women with reduced fertility, they had a 14 percent higher risk of all cardiovascular disease. These studies do not reveal the cause for the increased risk. The researchers speculate that childlessness could be a marker for an increased risk of other health problems. It’s also possible that the stress of trying to get pregnant may affect the health of your heart.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
