Pregnancy and childbirth can be tough on your body- especially your heart. According to the American Heart Association, some pregnancy-related complications can increase a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Cardiovascular disease is a broad term for disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels. When you become pregnant, your blood volume and heart rate increase, putting extra strain on your vessels and heart. About 1 in 3 pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are due to heart issues.
Around 10-15% of pregnant people will experience maternal or fetal complications. The following pregnancy complications have been shown to increase the risk for cardiovascular disease.
- High blood pressure during pregnancy (gestational hypertension) increases your risk of developing CVD by 67% and your risk of stroke by over 80%.
- Preeclampsia (high blood pressure and damage to a vital organ during or after pregnancy) is linked to a 2.7 times higher risk of developing CVD later in life.
- Gestational diabetes increases your risk of developing CVD by 68%. It also increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 10 times.
- Preterm delivery (giving birth before 37 weeks) doubles your risk of developing CVD, heart disease, and stroke later in life.
- Placental abruption (placental separation from the uterus before childbirth) increases your risk of developing CVD by 82%.
- Stillbirth (loss) doubles or may even triple your risk of developing CVD.
If you experienced any of these, make sure to tell your primary care doctor. Your three-week postpartum check-up is a great time to do this. Your provider can help you determine if and when screening and intervention is necessary.
Eating well, staying active, and getting enough sleep can help improve your heart health.
Working with your doctor throughout postpartum, attending regular check-ups, quitting smoking (if you smoke), and getting the proper tests are the key to staying healthy.
Heart disease occurs later in life for women, with an even higher risk after menopause. If you experienced a pregnancy complication that is associated with increased risk, your doctor may recommend additional screening tests or starting medication to lower your chances of developing CVD.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
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Sources
Heart problems during pregnancy. Cleveland Clinic. (2024, May 1). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17068-heart-disease–pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Later in Life: A Nationwide Cohort Study. American Heart Association. (2022, January 11). https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/JAHA.121.023079
Six pregnancy complications are among red flags for heart disease later in life. American Heart Association. (n.d.). https://newsroom.heart.org/news/six-pregnancy-complications-are-among-red-flags-for-heart-disease-later-in-life
