A recent research study from McGill University suggests that pregnancy complications could serve as key indicators of heart disease risk in women at a younger age.
The study analyzed data from more than 260,000 women in the UK between the ages of 15 and 45 who had given birth. By creating and validating a predictive model, researchers were able to estimate the future risk of heart disease in these women. Over the following four years postpartum, the women were closely monitored.
Various factors such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, PCOS, depression, thyroid disorders, oral contraceptive use, and social deprivation were examined to forecast the risk of heart disease. Surprisingly, the study revealed that women, especially younger ones typically considered low-risk, may actually face a heightened risk of heart disease earlier than previously understood.
According to senior author Robert Platt, a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, and Director of the School of Population and Global Health, “Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet current risk assessment tools do not consider the unique factors that affect women.”
Co-author Kristian Filion, Professor in the Departments of Medicine and of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, highlighted, “Many women who give birth annually are not assessed for cardiovascular risk due to their age alone.”
By implementing regular postpartum care and utilizing this predictive tool, healthcare providers could potentially offer early monitoring, lifestyle guidance, or specialist referrals, ultimately aiding in the prevention of heart attacks or strokes in the future.
The research team aims to develop a user-friendly calculator that can be integrated into electronic health records, enabling the identification of high-risk patients at an earlier stage.
