Cardiovascular Complications Affect 1 in 7 Pregnancies, Study Finds

A comprehensive review of medical records for more than 56,000 pregnancies over a 20-year period found that cardiovascular-related health problems may occur in as many as 1 out of every 7 pregnancies, according to research published in the American Heart Association's flagship journal Circulation. The study, which examined pregnancies occurring between 2001 and 2019 within the Mass General Brigham health care system in New England, documented a steady rise in cardiovascular-related complications during pregnancy affecting approximately 15% of pregnancies.

Conditions such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, blood clots, hypertensive disorders, and maternal death showed increasing prevalence over the study period. The increase was most pronounced among individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions but was observed across all age groups and even among those without prior health issues. This trend highlights the growing burden of cardiovascular disease on maternal health outcomes and underscores the need for enhanced prevention strategies.

The rising complication rates were strongly associated with increasing prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors present before and during pregnancy. Among study participants, obesity increased dramatically from 2% in 2001 to 16% in 2019, while high blood pressure rose from 3% to 12% over the same period. High cholesterol increased from 3% to 10%, and diabetes grew from 1% to 3%. These risk factors collectively contributed to the observed increase in cardiovascular complications during pregnancy, suggesting that addressing these modifiable factors could significantly improve maternal health outcomes.

Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association and senior vice president of women's health and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women's Health of Northwell Health in New York City, emphasized that most of these health risk factors can be prevented through lifestyle changes or medication. She noted that many patients aren't aware they have these conditions or that they're at risk, highlighting the importance of early intervention and continuous care throughout the reproductive journey. The full study can be found at https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.125.067512.

The findings have significant implications for clinical practice and public health policy, suggesting that comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment and management should be integrated into routine prenatal and postpartum care. With cardiovascular complications affecting such a substantial proportion of pregnancies, there is an urgent need for increased awareness, early detection, and proactive management of risk factors to ensure optimal health outcomes for both mothers and babies. Additional resources on pregnancy and maternal health are available at https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/health-topics/pregnancy.