Is there a link between pregnancy complications and death from heart disease?

This paper studied whether pregnancy complications could predict the risk of death from cardiovascular disease (heart or blood vessel related diseases). 

Complications sometimes occur in pregnancy. These complications can give an indication about the mothers’ health and ability to cope with pregnancy. Studies suggest that a mother’s response to pregnancy is related to heart disease years later. Thus, it is suggested that pregnancy complications could be used to identify women at risk dying from cardiovascular disease. 

14062 women were enrolled in the study. They were surveyed for 50 years. Information about the mother and their pregnancy was obtained.

Overall, 64% of mothers had no pregnancy complications and 31% had a single complication. Gestational hypertension (high blood pressure during pregnancy) was the most common pregnancy complication. Other common complications included preterm delivery (baby delivered more than 3 weeks before due date) and babies who were small for their age at delivery. A decrease in levels of hemoglobin (protein that carries red blood cell) and late-onset preeclampsia (high blood pressure and damage to another organ) were also more common.

The risk of death cardiovascular disease among black women was 1.8 times higher if they had gestational hypertension. There was evidence that bleeding together with preterm delivery was associated with a 3.9 times increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Women with gestational hypertension and preterm delivery were 5 times more at risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Women who had a preterm delivery and pre-existing high blood pressure were 7.1 times more at risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

Women with the greatest decrease in hemoglobin levels during pregnancy had a nearly 2-fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The decrease in hemoglobin levels could significantly predict death from cardiovascular disease.  

The authors concluded that combinations of pregnancy complications and hemoglobin decline predicted high risk of death from cardiovascular disease. 

Talk to your doctor about your risk of cardiovascular disease.