Recent research presented at the 2024 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society has unveiled a significant association between adverse pregnancy outcomes and elevated cardiovascular disease risk later in life. The study highlights that women who experienced certain pregnancy-related conditions may face increased cardiovascular challenges during menopause.
The study examined the health records of approximately 400 postmenopausal women, averaging 81.6 years of age, and focused on adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational hypertension, and gestational diabetes. These conditions were self-reported by the participants.
Findings revealed that women with a history of gestational hypertension showed a heightened risk for cardiovascular disease. Although a higher prevalence of heart disease was observed among those with a history of preeclampsia or multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes, these associations did not reach statistical significance. Notably, no significant link was found between gestational diabetes and heart disease.
Marie Tan, the study’s lead author, emphasized the need for further research with larger sample sizes to better understand the long-term cardiovascular risks associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
The study, presented in the session “The Association Between Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Cardiovascular Disease in Menopausal Women: Results from a Cross-Sectional Analysis,” underscores the importance of understanding and addressing new risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Stephanie Faubion, MD, MBA, Medical Director for The Menopause Society, stressed the relevance of such studies given that cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality among women. She noted the importance of comprehensive health history discussions with patients and pointed out that while future research is needed, studies like this are crucial for improving women’s health outcomes.
During menopause, women naturally face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Hot flashes, affecting approximately 70% of midlife women, have been linked to this elevated risk. The MsHeart study used sternal skin conductance to objectively measure hot flashes and found that participants with these symptoms had higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, a marker of increased cardiovascular risk.
Even after adjusting for factors such as age, race, ethnicity, education, estradiol levels, and body mass index, the association between hot flashes and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein remained significant. This suggests that measuring these biomarkers could help identify women at higher risk for cardiovascular issues and guide preventive interventions.
Dr. Faubion highlighted the need for healthcare professionals to inquire about hot flashes and other symptoms to better assess cardiovascular risk.
Dr. Natalie Bello, MD, MPH, FACC, emphasized the importance of monitoring blood pressure and implementing lifestyle modifications for patients with a history of pregnancy complications. In some cases, medication may be necessary to prevent cardiovascular disease.
“Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for cardiovascular disease, especially during pregnancy-related healthcare visits,” Dr. Bello advised. “These visits can be crucial touchpoints for addressing broader health issues.”
Overall, the study underscores the need for ongoing research and vigilance in managing cardiovascular health among women with a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
