Heart disease risk has been found to increase in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), even in those with normal weight, according to research presented at the 28th European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague. In addition, women with PCOS who were of normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2) and/ or without type 2 diabetes had a 40% greater risk of developing heart disease. “To our knowledge, our study is the first to combine results from several nationwide study cohorts and evaluate the prospective risk of cardiovascular disease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome,” said Professor Glintborg. Professor Glintborg added: “In comparison with previous large-scale studies, we found comparable risk of cardiovascular disease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) but these had not looked into normal-weight women with polycystic ovary syndrome as a separate group before.” “Women of normal weight with PCOS are more likely to have higher blood pressure than women of normal weight without PCOS — a well-established independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.