Increased Pregnancy Heart Disease Risks Identified in New Research

Pregnancy can be a life-changer, and it's not just about welcoming a new little one. It also puts your heart at risk, and you might not even realize it. Here's why:

In the U.S., heart disease is a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths, yet many folks aren't aware of the dangers lurking. Over the past three decades, maternal deaths have increased by 140%, with heart-related complications accounting for a significant portion of that rise. Feeling clueless? You're not alone. A survey by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center revealed that most Americans don't grasp the impact pregnancy can have on the heart or the importance of keeping a close eye on cardiovascular health before, during, and after giving birth.

What happens when you're pregnant, you ask? Well, your body undergoes several changes to support your growing baby. Blood volume increases, the heart races faster, and the overall workload on the cardiovascular system surges. Delivery itself puts even more strain on the heart, making pre-existing conditions or underlying risks even scarier. Some complications that arise during pregnancy, like high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes, can tip you off to potential heart disease down the line. These conditions can make you more susceptible to developing cardiovascular issues years earlier than expected.

So, if you're dismissing fatigue, nausea, or other symptoms as normal pregnancy irritations, think again. Symptoms like fluid retention or upper back and neck pain could be warning signs of serious conditions like high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, or preeclampsia. Boosting awareness about these red flags could help save lives.

To help pregnant patients with heart conditions navigate their pregnancy safely, hospitals like Ohio State have created specialist cardio-obstetrics teams. These teams consist of medical professionals from various fields, including obstetrics, cardiology, anesthesiology, maternal-fetal medicine, nurses, and pharmacists. By teaming up, they develop personalized plans for patients at risk of heart complications, ensuring the safest possible delivery and postpartum care.

One patient, Laura Lima de Souza, knew her pregnancy carried unique risks, thanks to vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. She relied on her dedicated medical team for close monitoring to determine the ideal delivery time and was prepared for potential complications. After giving birth, she remained under close watch to ensure her heart remained stable. She also took proactive steps to minimize stress, such as practicing mindfulness, staying active, and eating healthily. Now, as a proud mother of two, she continues to prioritize her heart health with regular follow-ups and screenings.

In an effort to support patients further, Ohio State has launched a Cardiology Postpartum Transition Clinic. Also known as "the fourth trimester," this critical period after delivery is vital for monitoring ongoing cardiovascular issues. Specialists in the clinic see patients shortly after birth to check for lingering concerns and provide advice on long-term heart health. Researchers are also working on different strategies for controlling blood pressure postpartum, with the goal of improving care for those at risk.

To wrap it up, pregnancy serves as a natural stress test for your heart, potentially uncovering or compounding risks for heart disease that might otherwise go unnoticed. That's why it's crucial to have a heart-to-heart with your doctor before embarking on your pregnancy journey and staying on top of any changes that occur during and after pregnancy. Recognizing symptoms, asking questions, and seeking help when things don't seem right could make all the difference. No one should have to face these challenges alone, and with the right medical support, more lives can be saved.

[Sources]Many Americans unaware of heart disease risks during pregnancyMerck for Mothers addresses maternal cardiovascular risks

[Enrichment Data]* Monitoring cardiovascular health before, during, and after pregnancy is vital because pregnancy acts as a natural stress test on the cardiovascular system, potentially exposing or intensifying risks for heart disease that might otherwise remain hidden.* Using specialized screening tools during pregnancy has been shown to nearly double the detection of potential cardiovascular disease (CVD) in obstetric patients, allowing earlier intervention and management to improve outcomes for both mother and baby.* Conditions like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure during pregnancy, preterm delivery, or having a small-for-gestational-age baby are linked to an increased risk of future cardiovascular events such as stroke, chronic hypertension, heart failure, and arrhythmias later in life.* Women with congenital heart defects face increased risks such as arrhythmias and heart failure during pregnancy, necessitating careful monitoring before and during pregnancy to manage these risks effectively.* Women who experience cardiovascular-related pregnancy complications need lifelong cardiovascular monitoring. This includes routine checks for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and lifestyle factors like diet and exercise. Informing all healthcare providers of the patient's pregnancy history, especially complications like preeclampsia, is crucial, as it aids cardiovascular risk assessment beyond obstetric care.* Long-term cardiovascular risks after preeclampsia include chronic high blood pressure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, potential kidney or liver disease, and abnormal remodeling of the heart and blood vessels that does not revert completely after delivery.

Ensuring heart health is crucial during pregnancy, as it serves as a natural stress test that could unveil hidden risks for chronic diseases like heart disease.
In the United States, many individuals are unaware of the impact pregnancy can have on medical conditions, particularly heart disease, and the importance of closely monitoring cardiovascular health pre-, during, and post-pregnancy.
Health and wellness, including fitness and exercise, mental health, nutrition, and women's health, should all be considered when discussing heart health during pregnancy, as they can significantly impact overall cardiovascular well-being.
Specialized teams made up of professionals from various medical fields are essential for supporting patients with heart conditions during pregnancy, ensuring safe delivery and postpartum care, and helping them navigate the unique challenges and risks that come with pregnancy.