A history of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) is associated with an increased risk of midlife stroke, according to new research.
APO included pre-term delivery, stillbirth, low birth weight, preeclampsia, placental abruption.
Stroke before the age of 60 was reported in 5 per cent of 164 women with APOs compared to 1 per cent without, with a mean stroke age of 49 years.
The study was published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Women’s Health.
The researchers wrote:
“Our results suggest that common APOs may offer a glimpse into women’s cerebrovascular health, and a unique opportunity to implement primary preventive strategies in a population at high risk of future stroke.”
Journal of Women’s Health Editor-in-Chief Susan G. Kornstein, MD, added:
“Given the findings of Miller and colleagues, providers should consider women with a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes at increased risk of stroke during midlife and implement preventive measures.”
The American Heart Association previously issued a statement warning that six health complications during pregnancy could increase the risk of later-life cardiovascular disease.
The scientific statement published in March linked gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, preterm delivery, pregnancy loss, placental abruption and small-for-gestational-age delivery to later health complications.
Experts called for extra monitoring for women who had experienced these issues during pregnancy.
Nisha I. Parikh, M.D., M.P.H., chair of the scientific statement writing committee and associate professor of medicine in the cardiovascular division at the University of California at San Francisco, said:
“Adverse pregnancy outcomes are linked to women having hypertension, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol and cardiovascular disease events, including heart attack and stroke, long after their pregnancies.
“Preventing or treating risk factors early can prevent cardiovascular disease, therefore, adverse pregnancy outcomes can be a powerful window into cardiovascular disease prevention if women and their health care professionals harness the knowledge and use it for health improvement.”
