Optimizing Prepregnancy Cardiovascular Health to Improve Outcomes in Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals and Offspring
Published: February 13, 2023
- There is a growing burden of cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality in pregnant and postpartum individuals in the United States (U.S.). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death during pregnancy and in the postpartum period and represents 26.5% of pregnancy-related deaths.
- Unfavorable cardiovascular health (CVH), as originally defined by the American Heart Association in 2010 and revised in 2022, is prevalent in reproductive-aged individuals. Significant disparities exist in ideal CVH by race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geography.
- This scientific statement summarizes the available preclinical, epidemiological, and clinical trial evidence that support the contributions of pre-pregnancy (and inter-pregnancy) cardiovascular health to risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and cardiovascular disease in the birthing individual and offspring.
Supporting Materials
- Commentary: A Time To Act: Addressing Pre-pregnancy Cardiovascular Health by Erin Goerlich, MD, Roger S. Blumenthal, MD, Garima Sharma, MD
- Top Things to Know: Optimizing Pre-Pregnancy CV Health to Improve Outcomes in Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals and Offspring
Recommended Reading
- American Heart Association’s 2024 Impact Goal: Every Person Deserves the Opportunity for a Full, Healthy Life
- Achieving Optimal Population Cardiovascular Health Requires an Interdisciplinary Team and a Learning Healthcare System
- Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Unique Opportunities for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Women
- Call to Action: Maternal Health and Saving Mothers