Heart problems can be a major risk during pregnancy

One of the first steps to take any time you are thinking of becoming pregnant is to develop a plan with your doctor to reduce risk factors for heart disease, such as quitting smoking and achieving a healthy weightWei said.

This move can protect your heart during pregnancy and for years to come. A study in 2021 in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that first-time mothers with risk factors for heart disease before pregnancy or during their first trimester were more likely to have a complication, such as preeclampsia or Gestational Diabetes. They were 7 to 15% more likely to develop high blood pressure two to seven years after giving birth.

While it’s best to take care of heart health before pregnancy, even if you’re already pregnant, there’s still a lot you can do to reduce your risk.

Get tested early. A analysis from the CDC Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization that supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that 68% of pregnancy-related deaths from heart problems are preventable. Some of the main causes of these deaths included delayed diagnoses and missed screenings. If your OB-GYN doesn’t mention it, ask him to do a heart health exam.

If you have an existing heart problem, tell your doctor. People who already have heart problems may need to work with a cardiologist throughout their pregnancy. You may need to change your current treatment, such as switching to a safer drug during pregnancy or taking baby aspirin to reduce your risk of preeclampsia.

Keep moving. Staying active helps control your weight, blood sugar and blood pressure, says Young. A review published in 2017 Italian scientists have shown that doing about 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise two to seven days a week reduces the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy by 46%.

Talk about your symptoms. Signs of heart trouble include shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and swelling in the feet, ankles, and lower legs. “The problem is that many of these symptoms overlap with typical pregnancy symptoms,” says Young. “But if something strikes you as new, unusual, or out of proportion, don’t dismiss it. Talk to your doctor.

Cut down on highly processed foods. Fast foods, sodas, chips and more ultra-processed foods are often high in calories and sodium, which contributes to high blood pressure. Brazilian scientists have shown that women who ate a diet high in these foods during pregnancy were 48% more likely to develop gestational diabetes and were 28% more likely to have preeclampsia.

Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods contain fiber, which can help control your blood sugar and hunger. They are also sources of vitamins and minerals that support heart health, such as potassium. Research shows that a diet high in potassium can help lower blood pressure, especially in women who consume too much sodium.

Prioritize your postpartum appointments. When you’re busy caring for a newborn, appointments with your doctor can get pushed back. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, up to 40% of women skip postpartum exams. But two-thirds of pregnancy-related cardiac deaths occur within a year of the baby’s birth. Be sure to keep your follow-up appointments.

Share your pregnancy story. At your next appointments, tell your doctor about any complications you had during pregnancy. Many healthcare providers overlook this important topic. According to a investigation of primary care physicians published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, only 16% checked all the recommended boxes, such as asking about pregnancy complications, when assessing heart disease risk in women .