Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Among Postmenopausal Women with Prior Pregnancy Loss: The Women’s Health Initiative

In Brief

Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Among Postmenopausal Women with Prior Pregnancy Loss: The Women's Health Initiative

Donna R. Parker , and colleagues

Background Growing evidence suggests that metabolic, hormonal and hemostatic changes associated with pregnancy loss may contribute to the development of coronary heart disease. This study, in a diverse, geographically dispersed cohort of women, examines the association of miscarriages and stillbirths with cardiovascular conditions.

What This Study Found Women with a history of pregnancy loss appear to be at increased risk of future coronary heart disease but not ischemic stroke. The association between pregnancy loss and heart disease appears to be independent of hypertension, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and white blood cell count. The risk appears greater among women with a history of stillbirths than among women with a history of miscarriage.

Implications

• Women with a history of miscarriage or a single stillbirth may be considered candidates for closer surveillance and/or early intervention by their primary care physicians so that risk factors can be carefully monitored and controlled.