Pregnancy places substantial demands on the cardiovascular system, with physiological changes that can exacerbate pre-existing cardiovascular disease or expose cardiovascular vulnerability for the first time. This heightened risk causes a substantial burden of maternal morbidity and mortality. New onset cardiovascular disease—such as gestational hypertension, maternal stroke, or peripartum cardiomyopathy—complicates up to 15% of pregnancies and accounts for up to one-third of maternal deaths. A substantial proportion of this harm is potentially preventable, but opportunities for intervention are being missed.
Kaynak: The Lancet
