Complications during pregnancy may increase the risk of heart problems later in life, especially for women who are overweight or obese, according to new research published in the journal JACC.
Scientists note that women who are overweight before pregnancy are more likely to experience complications such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure.
They noted that these complications serve as a natural ‘stress test,’ offering insight into a woman’s future health and risk of developing chronic diseases.
The findings suggest that prioritizing weight control among those planning a pregnancy could improve both maternal and long-term cardiovascular health, Northwestern University researcher Jacqueline Borrowman said in a statement.
To conduct the study, scientists followed 4,300 women across nine countries for 10 to 14 years after pregnancy.
The researchers noted that 67% of the women had a normal body mass index (BMI), 22% were overweight, and 11% were obese. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.
The results showed that women who developed diabetes during pregnancy were more likely to have elevated blood glucose levels and other early signs of type 2 diabetes later in life. Similarly, those who experienced high blood pressure during pregnancy were more likely to have it again later in life.
However, Borrowman noted that these pregnancy complications only increase a woman’s short-term risk of cardiovascular disease and do not fully account for that risk. Other factors are also at play.
