A new study looked at how heart health and body shape might affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant. Researchers studied nearly 2,300 women and found that women with better heart health scores were less likely to have trouble getting pregnant. Interestingly, the way fat is distributed around the middle of the body seemed to be an important link between heart health and fertility. The study suggests that taking care of your heart and managing belly fat might help improve fertility chances, though more research is needed to understand exactly how these factors work together.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether having a healthy heart (measured by something called Life’s Crucial 9) affects a woman’s ability to get pregnant, and whether belly fat is the reason why
  • Who participated: 2,319 women between ages 18 and 45 who were part of a large national health survey conducted between 2013 and 2018
  • Key finding: Women with better heart health scores were 29% less likely to have infertility problems. The way their body stores fat around the middle appeared to explain about half of this connection
  • What it means for you: If you’re trying to get pregnant, focusing on heart health and reducing belly fat might help. However, this study shows a connection, not proof that improving these factors will definitely help you get pregnant. Talk to your doctor about your individual situation

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked at a large group of women at one point in time and collected information about their heart health, body measurements, and fertility status. The data came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a well-known government health study that tracks Americans’ health. The researchers used information collected between 2013 and 2018 from women aged 18 to 45. They measured heart health using something called Life’s Crucial 9, which looks at factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, diet, physical activity, sleep, smoking, weight, and alcohol use. They measured belly fat using a newer method called Body Roundness Index, which is considered more accurate than traditional measurements. The researchers used statistical methods to see if there was a connection between heart health and infertility, and whether belly fat was the reason for that connection.

This research approach is important because it uses real-world health data from thousands of Americans rather than just a small group in a lab. The Body Roundness Index is a newer, more precise way to measure belly fat specifically, which matters because belly fat affects health differently than fat in other parts of the body. By looking at all these factors together, the researchers could see how they’re connected and which one might be most important for fertility

This study has several strengths: it included a large number of women from a nationally representative survey, which means the results might apply to many American women. The researchers adjusted their analysis for many other factors that could affect fertility, like age, income, and smoking. However, the study only shows that these factors are connected—it doesn’t prove that one causes the other. Also, because this is a snapshot in time rather than following women over years, we can’t be sure about cause and effect

What the Results Show

The main finding was that for every 10-point increase in the Life’s Crucial 9 heart health score, women were 29% less likely to have infertility problems. This connection remained strong even after the researchers accounted for other factors like age, race, income, and education. The Body Roundness Index (belly fat measurement) appeared to explain about 40-50% of why better heart health was connected to better fertility. This means that belly fat is one important reason why heart health matters for fertility, but it’s not the only reason. The study found that 13% of the women in the study reported infertility problems, which is close to what other research has found

When the researchers looked at different groups of women separately (by age, weight status, and other factors), the main finding held true across most groups. This suggests the connection between heart health and fertility isn’t just true for one type of woman, but appears to apply more broadly. The relationship between heart health and fertility appeared to be stronger in some groups than others, though the reasons for this aren’t clear from this study

Previous research has shown that obesity and poor heart health can affect fertility, but this study is one of the first to look specifically at how belly fat might be the connection between overall heart health and fertility problems. The use of Body Roundness Index is newer and more precise than older measurements of belly fat. The findings support what other studies have suggested: that both heart health and body composition matter for reproductive health

This study has several important limitations. First, it only shows that these factors are connected, not that one causes the other—women with better heart health might have other healthy habits that help fertility. Second, the study relied on women reporting whether they had infertility problems, which might not be completely accurate. Third, the study only included women aged 18-45, so results might not apply to other age groups. Fourth, the study was done at one point in time, so we don’t know if changes in heart health or belly fat would actually improve fertility. Finally, the study didn’t look at specific causes of infertility, so we don’t know if the connection is the same for all types of fertility problems

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, women who are trying to get pregnant may want to focus on improving their heart health and reducing belly fat. This could include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and not smoking. However, this is a moderate-confidence recommendation because the study shows a connection but doesn’t prove that making these changes will improve fertility. Anyone struggling with infertility should talk to a doctor about their specific situation, as there are many possible causes and treatments

This research is most relevant for women of childbearing age (18-45) who are trying to get pregnant or thinking about pregnancy in the future. It’s also relevant for healthcare providers who work with women on fertility issues. Women who already have a diagnosis of infertility should discuss these findings with their fertility specialist, as the recommendations might be different depending on the cause of their infertility. Men should also care about this research, as heart health and body composition affect male fertility too, though this study only looked at women

If someone made changes to improve heart health and reduce belly fat, they probably wouldn’t see effects on fertility immediately. It typically takes several months to a year of consistent healthy habits to see changes in body composition and heart health markers. For fertility specifically, it can take 3-6 months to a year of trying to conceive to know if these changes are helping. Anyone trying to get pregnant should talk to a doctor if they haven’t conceived after one year of trying (or six months if over age 35)

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your waist circumference monthly and monitor heart health markers like blood pressure, resting heart rate, and activity level. You could also track diet quality (servings of vegetables, whole grains, and processed foods) and sleep duration, as these are key parts of the Life’s Crucial 9 score
  • Use the app to set goals for increasing physical activity to at least 150 minutes per week, reducing processed foods, and improving sleep to 7-9 hours per night. Create a simple tracker for these three habits, as they directly impact both heart health and belly fat reduction
  • Check in monthly on your progress with heart health habits. If trying to conceive, track your menstrual cycle and note any changes in cycle regularity, as this can be affected by overall health improvements. Share this data with your healthcare provider during regular check-ups to monitor progress toward fertility goals

This research shows a connection between heart health, belly fat, and infertility, but does not prove that improving these factors will definitely help you get pregnant. Infertility has many possible causes, and this study only looked at one potential pathway. If you are struggling to get pregnant, please consult with a healthcare provider or fertility specialist who can evaluate your individual situation and recommend appropriate treatment options. This information should not replace professional medical advice. The findings apply specifically to women aged 18-45 and may not apply to other populations.