What is the Origin of Cardiovascular Risk in PCOS?

This significant clinical association emerged from extensive longitudinal epidemiological studies that established a robust correlation between the chronic hormonal and metabolic dysfunctions characteristic of PCOS and the subsequent development of cardiovascular morbidity. The syndrome is fundamentally an endocrine disorder, but its systemic consequences define the severity of the cardiovascular component of the risk. This cardiometabolic vulnerability is now recognized as an intrinsic, long-term feature of the syndrome's overall prognosis.

What is the Mechanism of Cardiovascular Risk in PCOS?

The primary pathogenic mechanism driving this risk is chronic insulin resistance, which is a near-universal hallmark of PCOS and directly contributes to widespread endothelial dysfunction and the initiation of atherogenesis. Concomitant hyperandrogenism further exacerbates this metabolic dysregulation, promoting an unfavorable central (android) fat distribution and a pro-atherogenic lipid profile. These combined hormonal and metabolic abnormalities collectively sustain a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, which significantly accelerates the progression of cardiovascular disease over time.

Cardiovascular Risk in PCOS ∞ Area

Cardiovascular Risk in PCOS

Meaning

Cardiovascular risk in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) refers to the demonstrably increased long-term probability of developing heart and vascular diseases observed in individuals diagnosed with this common endocrine disorder. This elevated clinical risk encompasses a significant spectrum of cardiometabolic conditions, including chronic hypertension, dyslipidemia, accelerated coronary artery disease, and increased stroke incidence. It represents a critical, systemic health complication that extends far beyond the reproductive and cosmetic symptoms of the syndrome. Comprehensive clinical management of PCOS must fundamentally prioritize and address these underlying cardiometabolic concerns.