Opportunities in the Postpartum Period to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk After Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
Published: February 12, 2024
- Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) are common in pregnant individuals and are associated with long-term risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Individuals with adverse pregnancy outcomes have an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease risk factors after delivery.
- This scientific statement summarizes the current data on this subject and offers suggestions for interventions at the clinical, health system and community level to mitigate these APOs in the fourth trimester and beyond.
Reducing Cardiovascular Risk After Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
Dr. Jennifer Lewey addresses content from the recently published AHA Scientific Statement on increased cardiovascular risk associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and how to improve cardiovascular health and reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Lewey emphasizes preventive therapies and lifestyle changes like breastfeeding, healthy diet, regular physical activity, and effective weight management, to lower the cardiovascular risk in postpartum women. Treatment of hypertension after delivery, blood pressure and glucose regulation, and contraception usage are also discussed. New prospects for promoting cardiovascular health include online and community-based programs, while the need for further research about vascular dysfunction and implementation studies is highlighted.
Supporting Materials
- Commentary: Optimizing the Approach to Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Long-Term Cardiovascular Risk: Missed Opportunities and Future Directions by Karen L Florio DO MPH, Melissa Russo MD, John Spertus MD MPH
- Top Things to Know: Opportunities in the Postpartum period to Reduce CV Disease Risk After Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
- News Release: Heart disease risk factors in women highlight need for increased awareness, prevention
Recommended Reading
- Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Executive Summary
- Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults
- Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Implications for Timing of Early Prevention
- Status of Maternal Cardiovascular Health in American Indian and Alaska Native Individuals
- Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Unique Opportunities for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Women
- Promoting Risk Identification and Reduction of Cardiovascular Disease in Women Through Collaboration with Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Women: The Impact of Race and Ethnicity
- Cardiovascular Considerations in Caring for Pregnant Patients