Subclinical cardiovascular disease and polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) impacts approximately 6%-10% of women worldwide, with hallmark features of hyperandrogenism, irregular menses, infertility, and polycystic appearing ovaries on ultrasound. In addition, PCOS is associated with several endocrine and metabolic disorders, including obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome, which all increase the risk for subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD), the presence of altered vascular endothelium without overt CVD. In this review, we summarize the most recent literature regarding subclinical CVD in women with PCOS, including markers such as flow-mediated dilation, arterial stiffness, coronary artery calcium scores, carotid intima-media thickness and visceral and epicardial fat. (C) 2022 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Automated summary

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 6%-10% of women worldwide, with features of hyperandrogenism, irregular menses, infertility, and polycystic appearing ovaries on ultrasound. PCOS is also associated with endocrine and metabolic disorders that increase the risk for subclinical cardiovascular disease.