Pregnancy complications, such as placental abruption and gestational diabetes, heighten the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. However, maintaining optimal heart health post-pregnancy can mitigate this risk significantly, as per preliminary research slated for presentation at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention│Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions 2024 in Chicago.
The study, utilizing data from the UK Biobank, scrutinized the correlation between Life’s Essential 8 scores—a set of key metrics for cardiovascular health—and CVD development among women with and without a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Life’s Essential 8 parameters encompass dietary habits, physical activity, smoking cessation, sleep quality, weight management, cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure.
Findings from the analysis, conducted over a 13.5-year follow-up period, underscored compelling interactions:
Reduced CVD Risk: Women with superior cardiovascular health post-pregnancy, denoted by Life’s Essential 8 scores exceeding 76, exhibited a 57% lower risk of CVD compared to counterparts with scores below 67.
Heightened Risk: Conversely, women experiencing pregnancy complications coupled with suboptimal cardiovascular health post-delivery encountered a staggering 148% increase in CVD risk.
Risk Stratification: Irrespective of pregnancy history, women with intermediate and low Life’s Essential 8 scores faced escalated CVD risk—25% and 81%, respectively.
Dr. Qian, lead researcher, underscored the pivotal role of post-pregnancy cardiovascular health in shaping long-term CVD outcomes. Notably, women achieving or sustaining optimal heart health post-pregnancy exhibited CVD risk akin to counterparts devoid of pregnancy-related complications.
The study’s significance transcends clinical realms, permeating public health interventions and policy frameworks. Identifying high-risk cohorts and fostering access to lifestyle modifications or therapeutic interventions emerges as a cornerstone strategy for attenuating long-term CVD risk in susceptible populations.
However, the study’s observational nature precludes causal inferences, necessitating further research to elucidate causality. Moreover, the predominantly homogenous study population underscores the imperative of diversifying research cohorts to glean insights into cardiovascular health disparities across diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Dr. Goldberg, an American Heart Association volunteer expert, lauded the study’s implications for prevention strategies targeting heart health in women with pregnancy-related disorders. She stressed the integration of Life’s Essential 8 into clinical practice and advocated for expanded research elucidating its efficacy across diverse demographic cohorts.
As the pursuit of cardiovascular health equity gains momentum, leveraging insights from studies like these holds promise in forging inclusive, preventive healthcare paradigms tailored to diverse populations of women.
