A study published in the journal Heart has found a strong correlation between multiple miscarriages and heart attacks.

The study analyzed data spanning 10 years involving more than 11,500 women. Researchers found that 25% of the woman had at least one miscarriage. But when looking at repeated miscarriages, the researchers found that women who had more than three spontaneous miscarriages had an increased risk of heart attack.

According to the data, each miscarriage increased a woman’s risk of heart attack by 40%. Women who had at least one stillbirth were about 3.5 times as likely to suffer a heart attack.

When the researchers adjusted the data for known factors of heart attack, such as smoking, weight, and alcohol consumption, there was still a higher risk for heart attack with repeated miscarriages. When factoring in this data, women with multiple miscarriages still had a risk of heart attack that was about five times greater than the average.

There are a number of lifestyle modifications that can reduce the risks of a heart attack, including weight loss, moderate exercise, a healthy diet including fruits and vegetables, all of which also helps in preventing miscarriages.

The need for further research on the gender-specific risk factors for heart disease, including those related to recurrent miscarriage, is needed.

However, the study presents something many people have found surprising, but have also suspected for quite some time: Miscarriages can affect the heart in more ways than one.