Infertility Raises Odds for Stroke and Heart Disease in Women, Study says
By: Foluke Akinwalere. Health & Wellness Writer. Medical review and editorial support provided by the DLHA Team.
Picture of an African couple seated on a bed in their bedroom looking worried at a pregnancy test kit held by the male partner. Image credit: AI generated from ChatGPT
Women struggling with infertility may face more than just reproductive challenges. A new review of the literature on infertility in women, suggests that the condition is linked with a significantly higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.
This finding is especially concerning for younger women and those undergoing fertility treatment, and it points to the need for early awareness and long-term health monitoring. Although more studies are needed to confirm the cause of the link, experts believe infertility may be an early warning sign for broader health issues, especially those affecting the heart and blood vessels.
The findings were presented at the 2024 Joint Congress of the European Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and the European Society of Endocrinology in Copenhagen.
Researchers from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, led by Dr. Eleni Armeni, conducted a large meta-analysis (study of pooled reports) of 21 studies involving 178,828 women with infertility and 3,398,781 women without fertility problems.
The team compared the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular (brain blood flow) health of both groups to determine if infertility could be linked to an increased risk of long-term health problems.
This research is considered a preliminary study, meaning it is yet to undergo full peer review and publication in a scientific journal. Nonetheless, it adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting a connection between reproductive and heart health.
The study revealed that women with infertility had:
In addition, the risk of cardiovascular disease increased by 20% in younger women with infertility, especially those under 40, and by 4% in women who underwent assisted reproductive technology treatments. These women were found to have greater risk of developing cardiovascular and blood vessel-related conditions than those who did not undergo such procedures.
According to the lead researcher, Dr. Armeni: “This is the largest meta-analysis to not only examine the potential link between a history of infertility in women and cardiovascular risk but also the impact of assisted reproductive technologies on their likelihood of developing future cardiovascular events. By gathering data from many studies, our work adds strong evidence to a growing field and suggests that infertility could be an early warning sign for future heart health issues.”
She also added, “Recognising infertility as a potential early marker for a cardiovascular disease could help doctors identify women who may need closer monitoring or preventive strategies earlier in life. It also raises important questions about the long-term effects of fertility treatments like assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments.”
Infertility is a major concern for millions of women in Africa, where social, cultural, and emotional consequences can be severe. While the focus is often placed on the emotional and relationship impact of infertility, less attention is given to its potential long-term health risks—especially when it comes to heart disease and stroke.
In many African countries, awareness about cardiovascular health in women remains low generally, and screening is often limited to older adults or those with obvious symptoms. However, this study suggests that infertility—even in young women—may be an early warning sign for future health issues that should be ignored.
The rising use of assisted reproductive technologies in urban centers across Africa means that more women are now exposed to fertility medications and procedures. If these treatments increase cardiovascular risk, as the study suggests, it’s essential for African healthcare providers to incorporate heart-health monitoring into fertility treatment plans.
For African women who do not become pregnant despite trying for years, infertility should not be seen only as a reproductive failure—it could also point to underlying metabolic or vascular conditions that require attention.
In societies where reproductive health stigma exists, women may delay seeking help or may not openly share their fertility struggles. As a result, they miss out on timely health screenings that could detect cardiovascular risks early.
There are several ways to protect women—especially those with infertility—from potential heart-related complications:
Doctors should consider offering blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar checks to women with a history of infertility, especially those under 40 or seeking fertility treatment.
Clinics offering IVF or related services should include routine heart health assessments as part of their patient care plans—before, during, and after treatment.
More public health campaigns are needed across Africa to raise awareness about the connection between reproductive and cardiovascular health. Women should understand that menstrual problems, infertility, or early menopause may be signs of broader health concerns.
Primary healthcare workers, especially those in rural areas, should be trained to identify women at risk of cardiovascular disease by asking about fertility history, menstrual patterns, and pregnancy complications.
Women trying to conceive should be encouraged to embrace heart-friendly habits such as regular physical activity, balanced diets, avoiding smoking, and managing stress. These changes not only boost fertility but also protect heart health.
Infertility may be more than a reproductive issue, it could be a critical signal of increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and vascular problems later in life.
A new study involving millions of women around the world found a strong association between infertility and cardiovascular conditions, particularly among women under 40 and those undergoing fertility treatments.
For African women, these findings highlight the need for early intervention, comprehensive health screening, and awareness about the long-term health risks of infertility. Whether or not fertility treatments are involved, infertility should prompt women and healthcare providers to look more closely at heart health.
As the conversation around infertility continues to grow in Africa, it’s important to also shine a light on its hidden risks to overall health—and empower women to take action.
Source:
European Society of Endocrinology, Women with infertility history at greater risk of cardiovascular disease after assisted conception, Press Release, May 10, 2025. Available from here
Related:
Infertility: Causes in African Women and Men with Prevention Tips
Infertility in African Women: All You Need to Know
Published: July 2, 2025
© 2025. Datelinehealth Africa Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission is given to copy, use, and share content freely for non-commercial purposes without alteration or modification and subject to source attribution.
DATELINEHEALTH AFRICA INC., is a digital publisher for informational and educational purposes and does not offer personal medical care and advice. If you have a medical problem needing routine or emergency attention, call your doctor or local emergency services immediately, or visit the nearest emergency room or the nearest hospital. You should consult your professional healthcare provider before starting any nutrition, diet, exercise, fitness, medical or wellness program mentioned or referenced in the DatelinehealthAfrica website. Click here for more disclaimer notice.
