In an effort to assess the occurrence of APOs among individuals with and without pre-pregnancy cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, the researchers analyzed electronic medical record data from individuals who delivered at Boston Medical Center (BMC) from 2018-2021. They found that among individuals without any recognized heart disease risk factors before pregnancy, 30% developed an APO.
Murray Horwitz, who is also a physician at BMC, stresses the need for improved communication and counseling for patients about how pregnancy complications are linked to future health. “We also need to train clinicians — not just pregnancy care clinicians, but also primary care clinicians and specialists — on the importance of taking a comprehensive pregnancy history and incorporating that information into patient risk stratification and management,” she adds.
The researchers examined electronic medical record data from women who gave birth at Boston Medical Center (BMC) between 2018 and 2021 in an effort to gauge the prevalence of APOs among those with and without pre-pregnancy cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. They discovered that 30% of people who had no known heart disease risk factors prior to pregnancy developed an APO.
Murray Horwitz, a doctor at BMC, emphasizes the importance of better patient education and counseling regarding the connection between pregnancy problems and long-term health. “We also need to instruct doctors on the value of taking a full pregnancy history and incorporating that information into patient risk classification and management,” she continues. “This is not just for prenatal care physicians, but also for primary care clinicians and specialists.
