iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
A new national survey reveals that many Americans are unaware of the long-term risks of heart disease associated with pregnancy and the critical care needed before, during, and after pregnancy.
The survey, commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, found that a majority of people consider symptoms like fatigue (73%) and nausea (65%) as normal during and after pregnancy.
Additionally, half of respondents did not view fluid retention or upper back and neck pain as medical concerns.
However, these symptoms could signal underlying heart problems, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiomyopathy (a condition where the heart struggles to pump properly), or preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related disorder that causes high blood pressure.
Pregnancy induces significant hormonal changes to support both the growth of the baby and the mother’s health, which in turn raises the mother’s heart rate and increases fluid retention in the body.
According to Lauren Hassen, a cardiologist and clinical assistant professor at Ohio State University’s College of Medicine, these changes can put considerable stress on the heart, compounded by the physical strain of labor and delivery.
Hassen emphasized the importance of discussing pre-existing health conditions with a doctor before pregnancy and being aware of any health changes during or after pregnancy. Conditions that develop during pregnancy, such as gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and pre-term delivery, can increase the long-term risk of heart disease.
Preeclampsia, in particular, has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Women who experience preeclampsia can develop heart disease up to 10 years earlier than those who do not, making postpartum care for these patients even more crucial, Hassen noted.
She is currently collaborating with a team at Ohio State to study different approaches to postpartum blood pressure control as part of a $12.5 million, three-state research project.
(Photo courtesy: IANS)
