Gynecological procedures may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease

A new study shows that hysterectomy alone, hysterectomy with oophorectomy, and tubal ligation are all associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The results and implications are published in peer review Journal of Women’s Health.

Stacy Mesmer, ScD, of the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, and co-authors examined the relationship between no surgery, hysterectomy alone, hysterectomy with oophorectomy, or tubal ligation and risk of cardiovascular disease among participants in a study. Nurses Health II. The CVD was based on fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction, fatal coronary heart disease, or fatal and nonfatal stroke.

The researchers reported that the association between hysterectomy/oophorectomy and CVD risk varied with age at gynecologic surgery, with the strongest association among women who had the surgery before the age of 50.

Physicians caring for women who have had gynecological surgery, especially if it was performed before the age of 50, should be aware of the women’s elevated risk of cardiovascular disease and take appropriate preventive measures.”

Susan G. Kornstein, MD, Journal of Women’s Health Editor-in-Chief, Executive Director, Women’s Health Institute at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.