Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, Jul 5: Women with poor cardiovascular health in early adulthood may face a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes and coronary artery calcium (CAC) buildup in midlife, a new study has found. CAC is considered a key marker of heart disease, as it indicates calcium deposits in coronary artery walls, which supply blood to the heart.

The findings, published in JAMA Cardiology, highlight the crucial link between heart health before pregnancy and long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

“Gestational diabetes appears to be a marker of pre-pregnancy cardiovascular health,” said lead author Dr Natalie Cameron, an instructor in the Department of Medicine’s Division of General Internal Medicine at Northwestern University, US.

The researchers analysed data from over 1,000 women, originally collected between 1985 and 2010. The average age of participants was 28.6 years, and all had at least one singleton birth without pre-pregnancy diabetes.

The study showed that women with poor heart health before pregnancy were more likely to develop gestational diabetes and CAC later in life compared to those with better cardiovascular health.

Dr Cameron emphasised the need for early intervention. “We need to optimise cardiovascular health early in the life course,” she said. “Patients with gestational diabetes and other adverse pregnancy outcomes should follow up with a primary care provider to maintain heart health after pregnancy.”

She further stressed the importance of thorough pregnancy history, lifestyle assessments, and screening for cardiovascular risk factors.

The study also urged healthcare systems to revamp postpartum care by ensuring smoother transitions from obstetric care to long-term primary care for women with high-risk pregnancy outcomes.