Study Links Pregnancy Complications and Persistent Stress to Long-Term Cardiovascular Risk in Women

A study published in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal, reveals that women experiencing pregnancy complications face increased cardiovascular risk years after delivery, with persistent stress levels exacerbating blood pressure issues. Researchers analyzed 3,322 first-time mothers from the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-be (nuMoM2b), finding that those with adverse pregnancy outcomes like preeclampsia, preterm birth, small for gestational age birthweight, or stillbirth showed blood pressure levels 2 mm Hg higher 2-7 years post-delivery when reporting higher stress levels.

Virginia Nuckols, Ph.D., lead author and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Delaware, explained that women with pregnancy complications appear more susceptible to stress's negative cardiovascular effects. The study measured stress using the Perceived Stress Scale during first and third trimesters and 2-7 years postpartum, noting that moderate-to-high stress groups were typically younger (25-27 years), had higher BMI, and lower educational attainment. According to the American Heart Association's 2025 Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults, high blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to lasting maternal health impacts like stroke or kidney problems.

Laxmi Mehta, M.D., FAHA, chair of the American Heart Association's Council on Clinical Cardiology, emphasized the mind-heart connection, stating that stress assessment should be part of comprehensive patient care. The research suggests that while blood pressure differences were modest, even slight increases can affect long-term heart disease risk. Study limitations include reliance on self-reported stress data and lack of second-trimester measurements, with future research needed to examine stress reduction interventions' effectiveness. The findings underscore the importance of monitoring both blood pressure and stress in postpartum care for women with pregnancy complications.