Miscarriages linked to increased risk of stroke

MISCARRIAGE is linked to an increased risk of stroke, a new study published in the British Medical Journal suggests.

Experts examined global data and found that women who had suffered recurrent miscarriages appeared to have a 35 per cent increased risk of nonfatal and fatal stroke.

The risk of non-fatal stroke increased with the number of miscarriages, the researchers found. One miscarriage was linked to a 7 per cent increased risk, while two was linked to a 12 per cent increased risk.

For fatal strokes, women with one miscarriage had an 8 per cent increased risk, two was linked to a 26 per cent increased risk and three was linked to an 82 per cent increased risk.

The study, by researchers at the University of Queensland and University College London, found that women who had suffered stillbirth were at 31 per cent higher risk of a non-fatal stroke and 7 per cent higher risk of fatal stroke.

Recurrent stillbirth was linked to a 26 per cent higher risk of fatal stroke. Infertility was also linked to a 14 per cent higher risk of non-fatal stroke compared to women who were fertile.

Researchers suggested possible reasons for the findings. They said the link between infertility and increased stroke risk may be due to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).

A narrowing of the heart’s blood vessels may also explain the increased risk of stroke for women with a history of recurrent stillbirth or miscarriage.

But the team also said unhealthy lifestyles contribute to stroke risk, as they called for more research into the area.

Writing in the BMJ, the experts concluded: “A history of recurrent miscarriages and death or loss of a baby before or during birth could be considered a female-specific risk factor for stroke … These findings could contribute to improved monitoring and stroke prevention for women with such a history.”