TLDR Obese and non-obese women with PCOS have higher heart risk markers, especially if they are obese.
The study from July 16, 2016, investigated cardiac risk markers in 60 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), divided into 30 obese (BMI > 30 kg/m²) and 30 non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m²) individuals, and compared them with 30 age-matched healthy controls. It found that serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine (Hcy), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), angiopoietin-like protein 6 (ANGPLT6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) were significantly higher in both obese and non-obese PCOS patients than in controls, with more significant elevation in the obese group. This suggests an increased cardiovascular risk in women with PCOS, particularly in those who are obese.
1540 citations,
October 2008 in “Fertility and Sterility” The report concludes that PCOS is mainly a condition of excess male hormones and its definition may change as new information is discovered.
1744 citations,
August 2006 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Polycystic Ovary Syndrome should be seen mainly as a condition of excess male hormones, with a focus on this in its definition.
29 citations,
March 2010 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation” Lipocalin-2 levels are higher in women with PCOS and may indicate insulin resistance.
155 citations,
March 2006 in “The American Journal of Medicine” Women with PCOS have heart-related issues not because of obesity, but due to insulin resistance and low adiponectin levels.
21 citations,
August 2014 in “Gynecological Endocrinology” Higher hs-CRP levels in Indian adolescent women with PCOS are more related to BMI than PCOS itself.
16 citations,
September 2018 in “Clinical Biochemistry” The document concludes that more research is needed to fully understand the causes of PCOS.
44 citations,
May 2008 in “Fertility and Sterility” Insulin resistance might not be enough to worsen blood vessel function in young, nonobese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
