Why Postpartum Heart Health Screening Matters – And Why We’re Missing the Mark
If you’ve ever had pregnancy-related hypertension or gestational diabetes, your risk for heart disease and stroke could be higher down the road. But here’s the thing – less than 1 in 5 women who experience these complications get the necessary screenings for heart disease risk factors, like diabetes or high cholesterol, within the year after giving birth.
A recent study, which looked at over a million women in Ontario, Canada, found that despite the strong link between pregnancy complications and future heart issues, the majority of new moms aren’t getting checked. And it’s a big deal because cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women.
Dr. Amy Yu, who led the study, says, “Not screening after pregnancy complications is a missed opportunity for preventing heart disease.” This is especially important because conditions like gestational diabetes or pregnancy-related hypertension can signal future health risks. Yet, despite guidelines that recommend regular checkups, fewer than half of women are screened for high cholesterol or diabetes within three years of giving birth.
So, what’s going on? Experts believe there are a few reasons why screening rates are so low. Women might not know they’re at increased risk, or maybe the chaos of new motherhood makes postpartum checkups fall through the cracks.
The solution? More awareness. Dr. Roxana Mehran, a leading heart health expert, urges clinicians to prioritize heart health screenings for women with pregnancy-related complications. Early detection can help catch issues before they become life-threatening.
For young women, it’s a reminder that your health doesn’t stop at the delivery room. If you’ve had complications during pregnancy, make sure to talk to your doctor about screening for heart disease risk factors. It’s an important step toward protecting your health for the future.
