Heart Failure Occurring in the Perinatal Period
Updated: June 24, 2026
- In the United States, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, accounting for 27% of pregnancy-related deaths in 2023.
- Pregnant women with heart failure (HF) have a markedly elevated risk, with mortality rates reported to be 32 times higher than in those without HF at the time of delivery according to a nationwide study.
- This scientific statement focuses on heart failure with reduced and mildly reduced ejection fraction in the context of pregnancy and the postpartum period, caused by various forms of cardiomyopathy.
Heart Failure Occurring in the Perinatal Period: Message from the Chairs
In this video Chair Demilade A. Adedinsewo, MD, MPH and Vice Chair Nosheen Reza, MD, MS present key insights from the American Heart Association scientific statement on heart failure occurring in the perinatal period. Drawing on current evidence, they outline gaps in knowledge, approaches to diagnosis, risk stratification, and management across pregnancy through one year postpartum, and emphasize the importance of early recognition and other strategies to enhance care and outcomes for this vulnerable population.