(Bethesda, MD, Tuesday, April 12, 2022) – Optimal cardiovascular health is important at every stage of life, but especially leading up to and during pregnancy. People experiencing high blood pressure, or hypertension, during pregnancy have increased risks for severe complications and for developing heart disease later in life.

As the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) kicks off Black Maternity Health Week, Dr. Desvigne-Nickens is available to discuss ways to support women during pregnancy with a focus on heart health and blood pressure. By supporting a healthy heart, women can reduce their risk for pregnancy complications and for developing heart disease in the future – while supporting the future health and hearts of their children.

Here’s why it’s important: Maternal health disparities are staggering. Black women are three times as likely to die from pregnancy and child birth compared to white women. Studies also show that Black women are 2-4-times more likely to experience a hypertensive pregnancy-related complication, including death.

Recent studies show:

Pregnancy and blood pressure: For every 10 people who are pregnant, about one or two experience a complication. And half are related to having high blood pressure. Examples include preeclampsia, a sudden rise in blood pressure after about 20 weeks of pregnancy that can turn dangerous; gestational diabetes; and having a preterm birth. These types of complications, also referred to as adverse pregnancy outcomes, are now considered independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Future heart disease risks: Studies now show that severe hypertensive pregnancy complications are associated with increased risks for developing hypertension 2-7 years after giving birth, as well as for developing heart disease later in life.

Accelerated aging: Recent research has even linked hypertensive-related pregnancy complications to accelerated cardiovascular aging – such as being diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes a decade earlier compared to women who did not have a hypertensive pregnancy complication.

Intergenerational health: Preliminary research suggests that favorable cardiovascular health outcomes in pregnancy may be passed on between parents and their children. While more research is needed to understand these links, we know it’s never too early or too late to support a healthy heart.

Background:

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI): NHLBI is the global leader in conducting and supporting research in heart, lung, and blood diseases and sleep disorders that advances scientific knowledge, improves public health, and saves lives. For more information, visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov.