A new study from Northwestern Medicine suggests that the risk of heart disease may begin as early as in the womb. Researchers found that pregnancy complications in mothers with high blood pressure are linked to poorer cardiovascular health for their children more than 20 years later.
The findings add to growing evidence that heart disease risk may be passed across generations. Improving a mother's health before and during pregnancy could slash disease risk, potentially improving heart health outcomes in future generations.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., with nearly 920,000 deaths in 2023. The study evaluated nearly 1,350 mothers and their children up to age 22, using data collected between 1998-2000 across 20 U.S. cities. Children whose mothers had high blood pressure during pregnancy had higher body mass index, higher blood sugar levels, higher blood pressure and thicker artery walls, making their arteries appear three to five years older.
High blood pressure disorders affect 5-10% of women during pregnancy, with a 25% increase over the past 20 years. However, Dr. Nilay Shah of Northwestern University noted that these risks can be influenced by healthy behaviours such as diet, exercise, and sleep, which are learned from an early age.
