Researchers compared 39 people with high prolactin levels (a hormone imbalance) to 39 healthy people to understand heart disease risk. They measured a substance called Endocan that shows how well blood vessels are working. People with high prolactin had significantly higher Endocan levels, suggesting their blood vessels might not be functioning as well. This finding is important because it could help doctors identify people at higher risk for heart problems earlier. However, the study was relatively small, so more research is needed to confirm these results and understand what they mean for treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether people with abnormally high prolactin levels (a hormone made by the pituitary gland) show signs of blood vessel damage that could increase heart disease risk
  • Who participated: Two groups of 39 people each—one group with high prolactin levels from various causes, and one group of healthy people with normal prolactin. Both groups were similar in age, weight, and other basic characteristics
  • Key finding: People with high prolactin had significantly higher levels of Endocan (a marker of blood vessel health), with a p-value of 0.028, meaning this difference was unlikely to be due to chance
  • What it means for you: If you have high prolactin levels, your doctor may want to monitor your heart health more closely. However, this is early research, and having high Endocan doesn’t automatically mean you’ll develop heart disease—it’s just one warning sign that deserves attention

The Research Details

This was a straightforward comparison study where researchers looked at two similar groups of people at one point in time. One group had high prolactin levels (from various causes like pituitary tumors or medications), while the other group had normal prolactin levels. The researchers measured multiple factors related to heart health in both groups, including weight, cholesterol, blood sugar, inflammation markers, and a special protein called Endocan that indicates how well blood vessels are working. They used a laboratory test called ELISA to measure Endocan levels accurately. The two groups were carefully matched so they were similar in age, sex, weight, and other basic characteristics—this helps ensure any differences found were related to prolactin levels, not other factors.

This research approach is important because it allows scientists to spot potential connections between a hormone problem and heart disease risk. By comparing people with the condition to healthy controls, researchers can identify specific markers that might warn doctors about future health problems. Understanding these early warning signs could help prevent serious heart complications before they develop.

The study has some strengths: the two groups were well-matched, measurements were done using reliable laboratory methods, and the findings were statistically significant. However, the study also has limitations: it’s relatively small (78 people total), it only looked at people at one moment in time rather than following them over years, and it doesn’t prove that high prolactin actually causes the blood vessel changes—only that they occur together. The researchers themselves noted that larger, longer studies are needed to confirm these findings.

What the Results Show

The main discovery was that people with high prolactin levels had significantly higher Endocan levels compared to healthy controls. Endocan is a protein that’s released when blood vessel linings are stressed or damaged, so higher levels suggest the blood vessels aren’t working as well. Interestingly, the two groups were nearly identical in most other measurements—weight, cholesterol, blood sugar, inflammation markers, and vitamin D levels were all similar. This makes the Endocan finding more striking because it suggests that high prolactin specifically affects blood vessel health in a way that other common heart disease risk factors don’t fully explain. The researchers also found that in the high prolactin group, Endocan levels were connected to body weight and waist size—people with more weight around their middle tended to have higher Endocan levels.

The study found an interesting negative relationship: people with higher Endocan levels tended to have lower white blood cell counts. While this might seem unrelated, it suggests that high prolactin may affect the immune system as well as blood vessel health. The researchers noted that even people with only mildly elevated prolactin (not extremely high levels) showed these blood vessel changes, which is important because it means the risk might start earlier than expected.

Previous research has suggested that high prolactin levels increase heart disease risk, but scientists weren’t sure exactly how. This study adds a new piece to the puzzle by identifying Endocan as a potential mechanism—a way that high prolactin might actually damage blood vessels. The finding aligns with what we know about how hormones affect blood vessel function, making it a logical next step in understanding prolactin’s effects on heart health.

The study is relatively small with only 78 total participants, which limits how much we can generalize the findings to larger populations. It’s a snapshot study—researchers only measured people once rather than following them over months or years to see if high Endocan actually leads to heart problems. The study doesn’t prove that high prolactin causes the blood vessel changes; it only shows they occur together. Additionally, the study included people with high prolactin from different causes, which might have different effects. Finally, the researchers didn’t measure some other factors that could influence blood vessel health.

The Bottom Line

If you have been diagnosed with high prolactin levels, discuss with your doctor whether additional heart health monitoring might be appropriate. This might include regular blood pressure checks, cholesterol screening, or other cardiovascular assessments. However, this single study is not yet strong enough to change standard medical practice—it’s a preliminary finding that needs confirmation. Moderate confidence level: this is early research that points in an interesting direction but needs larger studies to confirm.

This research is most relevant for people with diagnosed high prolactin levels, their doctors, and researchers studying hormone-related heart disease. If you have high prolactin from a pituitary tumor, medication side effect, or other cause, you should be aware of this potential heart risk. People with normal prolactin levels don’t need to worry about this particular finding, though general heart health practices always apply.

Blood vessel damage typically develops gradually over months to years, so you wouldn’t expect to feel immediate effects. If your doctor recommends monitoring, you might see changes in Endocan levels or other markers within weeks to months of treatment, but actual improvements in heart health would take longer to demonstrate—likely months to years of follow-up.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you have high prolactin, track your prolactin levels at each doctor’s visit (record the date and value), along with waist circumference measurements monthly. This helps you and your doctor see if treatment is working and whether the blood vessel risk markers are improving.
  • Use the app to set reminders for heart-healthy habits: regular exercise (aim for 150 minutes per week), maintaining a healthy weight (especially reducing belly fat), eating a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fats, and keeping stress managed. These habits help protect blood vessels regardless of prolactin levels.
  • Create a long-term tracking dashboard that records: prolactin levels from lab tests, waist circumference, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels (if tested), and any heart-related symptoms. Review this quarterly with your healthcare provider to spot trends and adjust treatment if needed.

This research is preliminary and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have high prolactin levels or concerns about your heart health, consult with your doctor or endocrinologist before making any changes to your treatment or lifestyle. Endocan is a research marker and is not routinely measured in clinical practice. This study shows an association between high prolactin and elevated Endocan, but does not prove that high prolactin causes heart disease. Always discuss any new health information with your healthcare provider to determine what’s appropriate for your individual situation.