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MONDAY, Oct. 12, 2020<\/p>\n
Pregnancy<\/a> complications, including preeclampsia<\/a> and miscarriage<\/a>, may be linked to an increased risk of heart disease<\/a> later in life, a new study suggests.<\/p>\n For the study, the researchers analyzed 32 reviews that assessed women of childbearing age and their subsequent risk of heart disease<\/a>. The women in those papers were followed for an average of seven to 10 years.<\/p>\n Several reproductive factors were linked with an up to twofold risk of heart disease<\/a> later in life: starting periods early; use of combined oral contraceptives<\/a>; polycystic ovary syndrome<\/a>; miscarriage<\/a>; stillbirth<\/a>; preeclampsia<\/a>; diabetes<\/a> during pregnancy<\/a>; preterm birth; low birth weight; and early menopause<\/a>.<\/p>\n In addition, preeclampsia<\/a> was associated with a fourfold risk of heart failure<\/a>.<\/p>\n Family medical history, genetics, weight, high blood pressure<\/a> and cholesterol levels<\/a>, and chemical imbalances from use of hormonal contraceptives are among the possible explanations for these associations, according to study author Krishnarajah Nirantharakumar, a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, and colleagues.<\/p>\n There was no association between heart<\/a> disease risk and current use of progesterone<\/a>-only contraceptives, use of non-oral hormonal contraceptive<\/a> agents or fertility<\/a> treatment, the study authors noted.<\/p>\n More time breastfeeding<\/a> was associated with a lower risk of heart disease<\/a>, according to the report published online Oct. 7 in the BMJ<\/i>.<\/p>\n Previous research has suggested that women may have specific risk factors for heart disease<\/a> and stroke<\/a>, but there were questions about the quality of evidence, the study authors said in a journal news release.<\/p>\n The new report doesn’t prove cause and effect, but the findings indicate that reproductive factors do influence women’s future risk of heart disease<\/a>. The researchers suggest that women’s health care guidelines be updated to include reproductive risk factors as part of the risk assessment for heart<\/a> disease.<\/p>\n — Robert Preidt<\/p>\n![\"MedicalNews\"](\"https:\/\/images.medicinenet.com\/images\/HealthDay\/healthday.png\")
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