United States: Research demonstrates that preeclampsia and preterm birth complications during pregnancy raise women’s vulnerability to heart disease development in later years. Recent studies show sisters of pregnant women might face greater dangers during pregnancy which points to a potential inherited link, as reported by HealthDay.
“It may be important to identify [all of] these women early to offer preventive treatment for pregnancy complications as well as lifestyle counseling and follow-up for cardiovascular disease risk,” said study lead author Ängla Mantel, an associate professor of clinical epidemiology at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.
Pregnancy Complications and Long-Term Heart Risks
For example, pregnancy conditions including preeclampsia (high blood pressure) and preterm birth increase the chance of developing heart disease in the future. Mantel and her research team wondered whether the risk didn’t just extend to the affected women, but to their sisters as well.
To investigate, researchers analyzed medical records from 1.2 million Swedish women who initially had no signs of heart disease. The study included:
- 166,000 women who had experienced pregnancy complications
- 61,000 sisters of these women
- A control group of women with no history of complications
- A 40% Increased Heart Disease Risk for Sisters
Over an average follow-up period of 14 years, the study confirmed that women with pregnancy complications had a greater likelihood of developing heart disease. But a surprising finding emerged—their sisters also faced an elevated risk, even if they had never experienced pregnancy complications themselves.
Compared to women without a family history of pregnancy complications, sisters of affected women had a 40% higher risk of heart disease. This suggests that genetic factors may contribute to heart disease risk, beyond the immediate effects of pregnancy itself.
Why This Matters
The fact that these findings stress the need for early identification and prevention in women who have a family history of pregnancy complications is highlighted. These women might need to be monitored more and early cardiovascular screenings, lifestyle counseling and preventive care will be provided to reduce the risk, as reported by HealthDay.
As more is known about the genetic links between pregnancy and heart disease, it’s important the public has a greater awareness and healthier habits toward their hearts—concerning both women with complications during pregnancy, and their sisters.