Natural History of Cardiovascular Disease in Young Women: Cardiometabolic Risk, Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease and Cardiac Function Is Exacerbated in Those With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with premature and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We have shown that high-risk young adolescents and women with and without PCOS exhibit atherogenic dyslipidemia and atherosclerotic CVD (ACVD), and impaired cardiac function, compared with healthy-weight control participants. The aim of this study was to determine the natural history of atherogenic dyslipidemia, carotid intimal medial thickness (cIMT), and cardiac function in young women with and without PCOS.