Being pregnant and looking forward to giving birth is, for most women, a joyous time. But Hudson County Cardiologists also know that it's also a time to take extra care with your health, and that includes your cardiac and vascular health.
The findings of a recent study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that women who have given birth have a 14% higher risk of heart disease and stroke when compared with women who have never had any children. In addition, the study found that this increased risk rises an additional 4% with each subsequent birth. These findings correspond with another study that found similar increases in a type of stroke (intracerebral hemorrhage, or ICH) during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
What do these study results suggest?
First, they DON'T suggest, "Maybe you should rethink having babies." That's not true at all – giving birth is safer now than at any time in history.
What these and related studies DO suggest is something doctors have known for many years. That is, that pregnancy, giving birth, and the first years after giving birth are hard on your body. After all, the mother's heart has to work harder during pregnancy to meet her needs and those of her baby. Many pregnant women also see an increase in their blood pressure and higher accumulations of fat in the blood and in the arteries. All of these factors might contribute to increased cardiovascular risk.
So if you are pregnant or considering it, what should you do?
Think of these studies as a reminder that you're never too young to visit the best cardiologists in Bergen County to get a checkup.
A cardiology consultation at Cross County Cardiology takes only a few minutes. The best heart care specialists in New Jersey will give you a thorough examination and perform a number of painless tests to determine the general state of your cardiac and vascular health. If our cardiology specialists find any reasons for concern, they can recommend prevention or treatment options to keep you healthy throughout your pregnancy and afterwards. Call 201-241-4222 or go online to schedule your appointment today.
In addition, remember that being pregnant is a great time to eliminate bad lifestyle habits and develop new ones. Stop smoking, eat healthy food, exercise regularly, and keep your pregnancy weight gain under control. After you give birth, remember to keep exercising to reduce abdominal fat and watch the fat content of your diet to maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels.
