Pregnancy is a time when a woman’s body undergoes numerous changes, including changes to the cardiovascular system. These changes increase the risk of developing pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth.

Recent studies have shown that these pregnancy complications may also increase a woman’s risk of developing long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD).

What is Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular disease is a range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. The most common types of CVD are coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure.

CVD is the leading cause of death in women worldwide, accounting for 8.6 million deaths each year.

Pregnancy Complications and Cardiovascular Disease

Complications during pregnancy may increase a woman’s risk of developing CVD later in life.

A study published in Circulation found that women who had gestational diabetes had a 2.3-fold higher risk of developing CVD than women who did not have gestational diabetes. The same study found that women who had preeclampsia had a 2.2-fold higher risk of developing CVD than women who did not have preeclampsia.

Another study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that preterm birth was associated with a 1.6-fold higher risk of developing CVD compared to full-term birth.

The study also found that women who had small-for-gestational-age babies had a 1.3-fold higher risk of CVD.

Why does this link exist?

One possible explanation for the link between pregnancy complications and CVD is that both conditions share common risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

Pregnancy complications may also lead to changes in the structure and function of the blood vessels, making them more prone to damage and disease later in life.

During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that can affect the mother’s metabolism and insulin resistance, leading to gestational diabetes. Preeclampsia is a condition that involves elevated blood pressure and damage to the blood vessels.

Preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age babies may be associated with impaired vascular function and inflammation.

Reducing the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Reducing the risk of CVD starts with a healthy lifestyle. Women who have had pregnancy complications should aim to maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and not smoke.

They should also be screened for high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol regularly.

Some women may benefit from medications such as statins to reduce cholesterol levels or blood pressure-lowering medications.

Women who have had severe pregnancy complications may also need to be closely monitored by a healthcare provider and may need specialized care to reduce their risk of developing CVD.

Conclusion

Pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and small-for-gestational-age babies may increase a woman’s risk of developing long-term cardiovascular disease.

Women who have had these complications should take steps to reduce their risk of CVD by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and seeking appropriate medical care.