Recent research underscores a significant correlation between cardiovascular health and female infertility, pointing to physical activity, BMI, and blood glucose levels as critical indicators influencing both conditions.
A study utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) examined 3,969 participants to explore the relationship between cardiovascular health and infertility. Infertility status was determined using the Reproductive Health Questionnaire, while cardiovascular health was assessed using the LE8 score, which incorporates factors like diet, physical activity, BMI, lipid levels (excluding HDL), blood glucose, and blood pressure.
Findings revealed a compelling inverse association between cardiovascular health and infertility across all models. Specifically, for every 10-point increase in the LE8 score (ranging from 0 to 100), there was a 7% decrease in the odds of infertility after adjusting for covariates. Participants with moderate or high cardiovascular health scores experienced significantly lower odds of infertility by 24% and 41%, respectively.
Notably, markers traditionally associated with cardiovascular risk—such as elevated triglyceride levels and lower HDL—were found to coincide with idiopathic infertility, suggesting potential shared pathways between cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and infertility.
“These findings highlight the importance of considering cardiovascular health in discussions around fertility and family planning,” stated the researchers. The study suggests that interventions aimed at improving cardiovascular health, particularly through enhancing physical activity, managing BMI, and controlling blood glucose levels, could potentially mitigate the risk of infertility in women.
The study, rated Level 2 (Good) for evidence quality, adds to a growing body of research indicating a nuanced relationship between cardiovascular health and fertility, urging healthcare providers to integrate these insights into patient counseling and care strategies.
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