NEW YORK -
New research shows women who have complications during pregnancy should watch their heart health later.
Laura Leigh Davidson delivered her son Oliver earlier than expected. "I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, preeclampsia toward the very end," she said.
She had a c-section at 37 weeks because doctors were concerned about how her
condition could affect her and the baby. "It was very scary because everything is out of your hands and everything you can do can cause a spike in the blood pressure," Davidson said.
Now a new study finds the complications Davidson developed during her
pregnancy could be a predictor of her risk for cardiovascular disease in the
future.
"If you've had a medical complication, specifically preeclampsia, which is high
blood pressure in pregnancy or diabetes, it may mean that you will develop
problems later on in life," said Dr. Jacques Moritz with Roosevelt Hospital.
British researchers looked at 34-hundred women with pregnancy complications.
They found preeclampsia was associated with a 31-percent increased risk for
heart disease, and diabetes during pregnancy carried a 26-percent increased
risk.
Researchers hope their results will push women to make lifestyle changes to
reduce their risk, and to see their doctors regularly. "View what happened in pregnancy as kind of a dip stick that you know that
you're at higher risk and you may be able to prevent it," Dr. Moritz said.
That's how Davidson is looking at it. She's planning to eat right and exercise
to keep her heart healthy. "It just makes me think very carefully about the decisions I have to make for
my own health so that I can be around for him," she said.
She also still needs to keep taking medication to keep her blood pressure in
check for now.
Kerry Ederer - CBS News
