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Study Shows Folic Acid Normalizes Heart Function in Female Athletes
Diminished heart function is a common, serious side effect among female athletes who have infrequent or no menstrual periods — a condition known as amenorrhea. But a Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin study indicates that folic acid treatments can restore heart function to normal levels.
The study centered on 10 college students with normal periods and 10 with amenorrhea. Tests that measured the ability of blood vessels to dilate with increased blood flow revealed significantly impaired heart function among the amenorrhea women, said Anne Hoch, DO, a Medical College of Wisconsin professor of orthopaedic surgery and director of the Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Women’s Sports Medicine Program and Fellowship.
But taking 10 mg. of folic acid per day for four weeks restored heart function for those in the amenorrhea group. “This shows that reduced heart function for amenorrhea patients is reversible,” Dr. Hoch said.
A new study is currently enrolling women runners with both normal menstruation and amenorrhea to determine if amenorrhea causes early cardiac changes that can be determined by echocardiogram. For information, call 414-805-7104.
The Women's Sports Medicine Program offers research and care for women athletes. It also provides preventive programs aimed at the top (interrelated) female athlete issues: eating disorders, amenorrhea and osteoporosis.
Source: Froedtert Today Date: September 2010 |