Cardiovascular Risk

Pregnancy Complications May Increase CVD Risk

Several pregnancy complications may indicate later cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, according to the American Heart Association’s latest scientific statement.1

“Adverse pregnancy outcomes are linked to women having hypertension, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol and cardiovascular disease events, including heart attack and stroke, long after their pregnancies,” the researchers said of the statement. “Preventing or treating risk factors early can prevent cardiovascular disease, therefore, adverse pregnancy outcomes can be a powerful window into cardiovascular disease prevention if women and their health care professionals harness the knowledge and use it for health improvement.”

Among the pregnancy related complications that are connected to later heart disease risk:

  • Gestational hypertension
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Preterm delivery
  • Small-for-gestational age delivery
  • Pregnancy loss
  • Placental abruption

 

The statement emphasizes implementing preventative measures for women who have experienced these complications. Some recommendations included in the statement are longer postpartum care to screen for CVD risk factors, improving the transition of care following pregnancy, close blood pressure monitoring, and Type 2 diabetes and lipid screening.

Further research on this association in Black, Hispanic, and Asian women is required, as these racial/ethnic groups have increased adverse pregnancy outcomes and CVD risk factors when compared with White women.

The statement also includes that lactation and breastfeeding may reduce this later risk of CVD and metabolic disorders.

“Pregnancy and the postpartum period should be considered the “golden year” of opportunity for clinicians to identify young women at risk and work with them to improve their cardiovascular health futures,” the researchers concluded in an accompanying editorial.

 

—Leigh Precopio

 

Reference:

  1. Parikh NI, Gonzalez JM, Anderson CA, et al. Adverse pregnancy outcomes and cardiovascular disease risk: unique opportunities for cardiovascular disease prevention in women. Circulation. 2021;143:00-00. doi: /10.1161/CIR.0000000000000961