GIRLS who start their periods before they turn 12 are at greater risk of developing heart disease and stroke in later life, according to a new study of nearly 300,000 women in the UK,

The research was carried out by The George Institute for Global Health at Oxford University.

It showed women who give birth at a young age, experience miscarriage or stillbirth, or who go through the menopause early, are also more likely to develop cardiovascular disease when they get older.

Lead author Dr Sanne Peters said: "This study clarifies the mixed findings of previous research, and underlines the life-long impact of women’s reproductive health.

"‘Our research suggests policymakers should consider implementing more frequent screening for cardiovascular disease among women with one or more of the risk factors highlighted here, in order to put in place measures that can help delay or prevent the development of heart disease and stroke."

Researchers drew on data from the UK Biobank, a large, population-based study of more than half a million men and women.

They found that women who had started their periods before the age of 12 had a 10 per cent greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who had been 13 or older, while those who went through the menopause before the age of 47 had a 33 per cent higher risk of developing heart disease and 42 per cent greater risk of stroke.