A new study from Northwestern Medicine researchers suggests that the risk of developing heart disease may begin as early as in the womb. The research found that pregnancy complications in mothers with high blood pressure are linked to poorer cardiovascular health in their children more than two decades later.
These findings add to the growing evidence that heart disease risk can be passed down through generations and suggest that improving maternal health before and during pregnancy could dramatically reduce that risk. This research could help improve the cardiovascular health of future generations.
Cardiovascular disease is currently the leading cause of death in the United States, with nearly 920,000 deaths recorded in 2023, according to government data. Coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease, accounted for more than one-third of those deaths.
Study Details and Findings
The study assessed the health of nearly 1,350 mothers and their children until the children reached age 22, using data initially collected between 1998 and 2000 across 20 U.S. cities. Scientists determined whether mothers had experienced pregnancy complications using hospital records. They also used blood pressure measurements, blood tests, body mass index assessments, and arterial ultrasounds to analyze the children's cardiovascular health.
The researchers compared participants who were exposed to each pregnancy complication with those who were not, taking into account potential contributing factors such as smoking and lifestyle. Children whose mothers had hypertension during pregnancy showed higher body mass index, higher blood sugar levels, higher blood pressure, and thicker arterial walls.
The study revealed that their arteries appeared to be between three and five years older, increasing their risk of heart disease.
Implications and Recommendations
High blood pressure disorders affect between 5% and 10% of women during pregnancy, and there has been a 25% increase in such cases over the past 20 years, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fortunately, high blood pressure and heart disease risk are factors that people can manage and even reverse by following a healthy, nutritious diet, getting enough exercise, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and sleeping well.
The CDC recommends that adults sleep seven hours each night and get at least 150 minutes of exercise per week for optimal health. These behaviors are also learned from an early age, starting with parents.
"If you experienced high blood pressure or elevated blood sugar during pregnancy, or if your child was born prematurely, this does not necessarily mean your child will have poorer health in adulthood. But I recommend paying attention to your child's current health habits," said Dr. Nilay Shah, assistant professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, in a statement.
