How Fibroids Increase Your Risk for Heart Disease

This article was medically authored by Dr. Ryan Armstrong and last reviewed for accuracy on 07/30/2026.

Until recently, we thought that uterine fibroids didn’t usually pose a serious risk to your overall health. While symptoms like heavy bleeding could increase your risk for anemia, these uterine tumors are typically non-cancerous and unlikely to cause serious harm. Now, however, a new study is changing the way we view the overall health risks associated with fibroids, pointing out that having these tumors increases women’s risk for developing heart disease.

Key Takeaways

• Recent research revealed that fibroids increase your long-term risk for developing heart disease
• Fibroids were known to cause symptoms such as heavy bleeding, pelvic pain and pain with sex

Fibroids and Heart Disease: Uncovering the Connection

A study in the Journal of the American Heart Association has recently revealed a link between having uterine fibroids and increased risk, both on the short-and-long-term, for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

To reach these findings, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania studied health records for more than 2 million American women, looking for a connection between uterine fibroids and incidents of ASCVD. They discovered that women with fibroids were more likely to suffer from heart disease, both one and ten years after receiving a fibroids diagnosis. While the reason for the increased risk is still unclear, it seems that issues such as chronic inflammation, imbalanced hormones and vascular changes contribute to both fibroid development and heart disease risk.

Said lead study author Julia D. DiTosto, “The strength of the relationship between heart disease risk and uterine fibroids was striking. However, it’s important to note that more research is needed to confirm these findings in other populations before formal changes are made to cardiovascular risk assessment guidelines. In the meantime, these results support having thoughtful conversations between women and their providers about heart health in the context of a fibroid diagnosis.”

Additional Fibroid Risks

As we learn more about how fibroids increase your heart disease risk, there are known fibroid risks we also want to highlight. Chronic heavy bleeding can increase your risk anemia, and cause serious interruptions to your work and personal life. Many women also find there is an emotional cost of living with fibroids, since it can directly affect your most intimate relationships.

Reducing the Risk of Fibroids and Heart Disease

As DiTosto noted, more research is necessary in order to determine exactly how and why fibroids impact your risk for cardiovascular disease. In the meantime, we know that obesity increases your risk for both conditions, so reaching and maintaining a healthy weight could help reduce the impact on your general well-being. To help you begin that process, you can explore the best exercise when you have fibroids. Additionally, if hormonal imbalances are at the root of fibroid and heart disease risk, you may wish to explore ways to balance your hormones.

Moving forward, as we learn more about the links between fibroids and heart disease, it may become clear how the former directly increases your risk for the latter. If so, we’ll able to say that seeking fibroid treatment will reduce fibroid symptoms, while also protecting your cardiovascular health.

But, while we wait for the science on that front, we can say that treating these uterine tumors is a great way to reduce your fibroid symptom burden and improve your quality of life. And, if you seek minimally-invasive Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) at one of our seven Texas Endovascular locations, you can find that relief without the need for invasive incisions or overnight hospital stays. So contact our team today and request your consultation!