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Complications during Pregnancy to Augment Risk of Stroke and Heart Disease In Future, Study Suggests

Feb, 2021

According to a new research study, researchers have suggested that preeclampsia, gestational diabetes miscarriage, and pre-term birth, which are some of the pregnancy complications augments the risk of heart disease in later life. Researchers also informed that other factors which are related to fertility and pregnancy such as early menstruation, polycystic ovary syndrome, combined oral contraceptives, and early menopause are also responsible for cardiovascular disease in the later life. However, researchers also informed that longer duration of breastfeeding diminished risk of cardiovascular disease.

In the study, a group of researchers from UK researchers collected research databases that investigated association between fertility and pregnancy factors in women and their consequent risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers studied about 32 reviews and evaluated multiple risk factors over an average follow-up period of 7-10 years. Researchers observed various factors such as early menarche, gestational diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, miscarriage, stillbirth, preeclampsia, and early menopause, among others increased risk of cardiovascular outcomes by twofold. However, preeclampsia alone increases risk of heart failure by fourfold. In addition, researchers highlighted that these associations might be due to genetics, family medical history, weight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and chemical imbalances due to hormonal contraceptives.

Researchers concluded that the review indicates from early mensuration to menopause, reproductive profile of women predicts risk of cardiovascular disease, in the future. The review also provides precision and provides commendations, which can be incorporated into guidelines, such as integrating reproductive risk factors as a part of the risk assessment for cardiovascular disease.