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Uterine Fibroids, Race, Ethnicity, and Cardiovascular Outcomes

  • Race and Ethnicity Disparities (M. Albert, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Uterine fibroids are the cause of significant morbidity for women particularly women of racial and ethnic minorities. This review seeks to draw connections between fibroids and another cause of morbidity and mortality, cardiovascular disease. Fibroids are the most common neoplasm affecting women as well as the most common reason for undergoing hysterectomy. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the USA, and heart disease and stroke disproportionately impact women of racial and ethnic minorities.

Recent Findings

Prospective studies in the last several years have revealed a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome and other clinical and subclinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease in women with fibroids.

Summary

Study of the clinical and subclinical manifestations of each disease state may set the foundation for both preventative and therapeutic interventions.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

Body mass index

BWHS:

Black Women’s Health Study

CVD:

Cardiovascular disease

MI:

Myocardial infarction

NSQIP:

National Surgical Quality Improvement Program

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 85 East Concord St, 6th Floor, Boston, MA, 02118, USA

    Nyia L. Noel, Alexis K. Gadson & Paul Hendessi

Authors
  1. Nyia L. Noel
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  2. Alexis K. Gadson
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  3. Paul Hendessi
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Correspondence to Nyia L. Noel.

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Conflict of Interest

Nyia L. Noel is a consultant for OBP Medical. Paul Hendessi is a consultant for Medtronic. Alexis Gadson declares that she has no conflicts of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Race and Ethnicity Disparities

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Noel, N.L., Gadson, A.K. & Hendessi, P. Uterine Fibroids, Race, Ethnicity, and Cardiovascular Outcomes. Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep 13, 28 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-019-0622-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12170-019-0622-0

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