The association of female reproductive factors with history of cardiovascular disease: a large cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background This study aimed to explore the association of female reproductive factors (age at first birth (AFB), age at last birth (ALB), number of pregnancies, and live births) with history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods A total of 15,715 women aged 20 years or over from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 1999 to 2018 were included in our analysis. Weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline (RCS) model were used to evaluate the association of AFB and ALB with history of CVD in women. Additionally, the relationship between the number of pregnancies, and live births and history of CVD was also explored. Results After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the RCS plot showed a U-curve relationship between AFB, ALB and history of CVD. Among them, AFB was associated with congestive heart failure (CHF), heart attack, and stroke in a U-shaped curve. Additionally, this U-shaped correlation also exists between ALB and CHF and stroke. However, the number of pregnancies and live births was liner positive associated with history of CVD, including coronary heart disease, CHF, angina pectoris, heart attack, and stroke. Conclusions Women with younger or later AFB and ALB have higher odds of CVD in later life. Further study is warranted to verify the underlying mechanisms of this association.