Complications during pregnancy and obesity, both are huge risk factors for a number of diseases. Not only do they weaken the immune system, making it prone to a range of infections, but they also catapult the manifestation of non-communicable diseases. Resonating this sentiment, a recent National Institutes Of Health (NIH)-supported research revealed how a combination of the two can be deadly, especially considering its impact on the heart. As per the study, 'pregnancy complications can increase and unmask short and long-term cardiovascular risk for people with obesity.'
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors
Being obese before and during early-stage pregnancy seems to be a solid risk factor for developing heart diseases such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes, concluded the study.
Published in Circulation Research, the NIH-funded study analysed more than 4,200 first-time mothers, out of which almost 50% were overweight or obese. The researchers compared the women's health two to seven years after their pregnancy, finding that the participants who were overweight or obese during the first trimester of pregnancy were almost twice as likely to develop gestational diabetes or undergo a pregnancy complicated by high blood pressure. About 15% of them developed high blood pressure during pregnancy, 8% had their babies prematurely, 11% had babies smaller than expected for their pregnancy stage, and 4% had gestational diabetes.
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However, the researchers found that obesity was not a risk factor for pregnancy complications, they did find that pregnancy complications definitely have an impact on the heart.
Preventing Pregnancy Complications And Cardiovascular Diseases
Commenting on their findings, Victoria L Pemberton, RNC, one of the authors of the study, said, “We’re finding that certain pregnancy complications are unmasking and then increasing cardiovascular disease risks, such as obesity, that were already present. This study provides insight into potential timing for interventions for people with overweight or obesity who are thinking about pregnancy."
Suggesting ways to support health during pregnancy, Sadiya S Khan, MD, the study’s lead investigator, concluded, “That includes achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight, knowing your heart health numbers, and finding ways to stay physically active.”
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The study holds significance as supporting heart health is of utmost importance for women going through pregnancy complications. The researchers established that the best time to support a pregnant woman's heart and prevent deadly cardiovascular diseases and pregnancy complications, the onus of maintaining optimum health has to be shifted to before and during early pregnancy.