Premenstrual disorders linked to higher risk for heart disease, study finds

Researchers found an 11% higher risk for cardiovascular disease in women diagnosed with severe symptoms, not just mild or moderate cramps.

Premenstrual disorders are associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, a large, long-term study has found.

New research analyzing patient health data from more than 3 million women in Sweden over a 20-year period found that those who were diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) had an 11% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease at some point, compared to women who did not have a diagnosis.

Younger women who experienced a premenstrual disorder before age 25 had an even stronger risk of developing heart disease, 24%.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in the U.S.

“It’s another reminder of taking care of your cardiovascular health when you’re young and not waiting until you’re in your 50s or later,” Elizabeth Bertone-Johnson said, study co-author and professor of epidemiology at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.