ABSTRACT
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is arguably the most common endocrinopathy among
women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS have clinical characteristics that are
associated with insulin resistance, vascular dysfunction, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.
Although definitive data for increased cardiovascular events in women with PCOS are
lacking, case-control studies have documented an increased risk of preclinical cardiovascular
disease. Thus, PCOS should be viewed as a chronic condition that may ultimately have
long-term health impacts and patients should be counseled to reduce cardiovascular
risk factors through weight control, exercise, and/or pharmacologic treatments.
KEYWORDS
Polycystic ovary syndrome - cardiovascular disease - dyslipidemia - insulin resistance