Researchers looked at data from over 2,500 women to see if having a healthy heart was connected to fertility. They found that women with better overall heart health—measured by diet, exercise, sleep, weight, blood sugar, and blood pressure—were less likely to have trouble getting pregnant. The connection was especially strong for women under 35 years old. This suggests that taking care of your heart health might also help with fertility, and these habits are worth starting early if you’re thinking about having children.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether women with better heart health (based on diet, exercise, sleep, weight, blood sugar, and blood pressure) have fewer problems getting pregnant.
  • Who participated: 2,534 women aged 20-49 years old from a large national health survey conducted between 2013 and 2018. About 314 of these women reported having trouble getting pregnant.
  • Key finding: Women with higher heart health scores were significantly less likely to experience infertility. For every 10-point improvement in heart health score, the chances of infertility dropped by about 23%. This effect was even stronger—35% reduction—for women under 35 years old.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a woman of childbearing age thinking about pregnancy, focusing on heart-healthy habits like eating well, sleeping enough, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing blood pressure and blood sugar may improve your chances of getting pregnant. This is especially important if you’re under 35. However, infertility has many causes, so talk to a doctor if you’re having trouble conceiving.

The Research Details

This study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a large government health study that tracks Americans’ health over time. Researchers looked at information collected from 2013 to 2018 and examined 2,534 women aged 20-49. They measured each woman’s heart health using a scoring system called Life’s Essential 8, which rates eight different health factors on a scale from 0 to 100. The researchers then compared women’s heart health scores to whether they reported having infertility problems. They used statistical methods to account for other factors that might affect fertility, like age, income, and education.

This research approach is important because it looks at real-world data from a representative sample of American women rather than a small group in a lab. By examining many women at once, researchers can spot patterns that might not show up in smaller studies. The study also looked at whether the connection between heart health and fertility was different for different age groups, which helps us understand who might benefit most from these lifestyle changes.

This study has several strengths: it included a large number of women from across the United States, making the results more likely to apply to many people. The researchers carefully adjusted their analysis to account for other factors that could affect fertility. However, the study has limitations: women self-reported their fertility problems, which might not be completely accurate, and the study only looked at one point in time rather than following women over years. The study shows a connection between heart health and fertility, but it doesn’t prove that improving heart health will definitely help someone get pregnant.

What the Results Show

Among the 2,534 women studied, about 13% reported having infertility. Women with higher heart health scores had significantly lower rates of infertility. The relationship was consistent and dose-dependent, meaning that each improvement in heart health score was associated with a proportional decrease in infertility risk. For every 10-point increase in the heart health score, women were 23% less likely to experience infertility. This strong connection remained even after researchers accounted for other factors like age, race, income, and education that might affect fertility. The pattern was particularly striking in younger women: those under 35 with higher heart health scores were 35% less likely to have infertility problems for every 10-point score increase.

When researchers looked at the individual components of heart health, they found that five factors had the strongest connections to fertility: diet quality, sleep duration and quality, body mass index (BMI or weight relative to height), blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. These five factors showed more pronounced effects on infertility risk than other measured health factors. The study also found that the relationship between heart health and fertility was stronger in younger women than in older women, suggesting that age plays an important role in how lifestyle factors affect fertility.

Previous research has shown that cardiovascular disease is connected to infertility in women, but this is one of the first studies to examine the broader concept of overall heart health and its relationship to fertility. The findings align with existing research showing that lifestyle factors like weight, diet, and sleep affect both heart health and reproductive function. This study adds to growing evidence that the same healthy habits that protect your heart may also support fertility.

This study has several important limitations to consider. First, women reported their own infertility status, which may not be completely accurate—some women might not have sought medical evaluation or might not remember correctly. Second, the study only looked at data from one time period, so we can’t know if improving heart health actually led to better fertility outcomes. Third, the study couldn’t prove cause-and-effect; it only showed that heart health and fertility are connected. Fourth, the study included only women who participated in the national health survey, so results might not apply to all women. Finally, the study didn’t account for some factors that affect fertility, like whether women were actively trying to get pregnant or using fertility treatments.

The Bottom Line

If you’re a woman of childbearing age and thinking about pregnancy, consider adopting heart-healthy habits: eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night; maintain a healthy weight; keep blood pressure and blood sugar in healthy ranges; and stay physically active. These recommendations are supported by moderate evidence from this study, especially for women under 35. However, these lifestyle changes should be viewed as one part of overall fertility planning, not a complete solution.

This research is most relevant for women aged 20-49 who are planning to become pregnant or concerned about fertility. It’s especially important for women under 35, where the connection between heart health and fertility was strongest. Women with existing heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or weight concerns should definitely discuss these findings with their doctor. Men should also care about this research because heart health likely affects male fertility too, though this study only looked at women. Anyone with infertility concerns should see a fertility specialist or doctor for proper evaluation.

Realistic expectations for seeing benefits vary. Some lifestyle changes like improving sleep or reducing stress might affect fertility within a few months. Changes in weight or blood sugar control typically take 3-6 months to show meaningful improvement. However, it can take 6-12 months of consistent healthy habits to see effects on fertility. Remember that fertility is complex, and lifestyle changes alone may not solve infertility problems caused by medical conditions. If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for over a year (or 6 months if you’re over 35), see a doctor for evaluation.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your Life’s Essential 8 components weekly: record your diet quality (servings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains), sleep duration and quality (hours slept, sleep quality rating 1-10), weight and BMI, blood pressure readings if available, and blood sugar levels if diabetic. Create a simple weekly scorecard rating each component as ‘good,’ ‘fair,’ or ’needs work’ to monitor progress toward better heart health.
  • Start with one or two manageable changes: commit to one new heart-healthy meal per day, add 30 minutes of walking three times per week, or set a consistent bedtime 30 minutes earlier. Use the app to set reminders for these habits and track completion. Once these become routine (usually 2-3 weeks), add another healthy habit. This gradual approach is more sustainable than trying to change everything at once.
  • Use the app to track your heart health score monthly by recording your diet quality, sleep patterns, weight, and any available blood pressure or blood sugar readings. Create a dashboard showing your progress over 3-6 months. Set specific goals like ‘improve sleep by 1 hour per night’ or ‘add 3 servings of vegetables daily.’ Share your progress with your healthcare provider during regular checkups to ensure your changes are appropriate for your individual health situation.

This research shows a connection between heart health and fertility in women, but it does not prove that improving heart health will definitely help you get pregnant. Infertility has many causes, including medical conditions that require professional evaluation. If you’re having trouble getting pregnant, please consult with a fertility specialist or your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Do not use this information to replace medical advice. The lifestyle recommendations discussed are generally healthy for everyone, but you should talk to your healthcare provider before making significant changes, especially if you have existing health conditions. This study was observational and cannot prove cause-and-effect relationships.