Preterm birth, which is defined as giving birth before 37 weeks of gestation, has been linked to an increased risk of health problems for infants.

However, new research suggests that preterm birth may also increase the risk of heart failure in adulthood. The study, published in the journal Circulation, found that adults who were born preterm were more likely to develop heart failure later in life compared to those born at full term.

The Study

The study was conducted by a team of researchers from Sweden and included over 2.7 million individuals born between 1982 and 2012.

The researchers followed the participants for an average of 18 years and looked at their health outcomes, including the development of heart failure. They found that adults who were born preterm were 40% more likely to develop heart failure compared to those born at full term.

The study also found that the risk of heart failure increased the earlier a person was born prematurely.

Those born extremely preterm, defined as before 28 weeks of gestation, had the highest risk of heart failure, with a 2.5 times higher risk compared to those born at full term.

How Does Preterm Birth Increase the Risk of Heart Failure?

The exact mechanism by which preterm birth increases the risk of heart failure is not yet understood.

However, researchers have hypothesized that preterm birth may lead to changes in the structure and function of the heart, which can increase the risk of heart failure later in life. Premature birth has also been linked to an increased risk of other cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and stroke.

What Can be Done to Reduce the Risk of Heart Failure?

While it is not yet clear how to prevent preterm birth, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of heart failure in those who were born prematurely. These include:.

Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine
Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
Managing high blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors through lifestyle changes and medication if needed

Early screening and treatment of heart disease is also important for those who were born prematurely.

Conclusion

The study suggests that preterm birth may increase the risk of heart failure later in life. However, more research is needed to understand the exact mechanism by which preterm birth affects cardiovascular health.

In the meantime, steps can be taken to reduce the risk of heart failure in those who were born prematurely. It is also important for healthcare providers to be aware of the increased risk of heart disease in this population and to screen and treat accordingly.