HEALTH

Preparing for Pregnancy: The Heart Health Shift in the U. S.

USAFri Jul 04 2025
Heart health is a big deal for women planning to have a baby. It's not just about the mom's well-being but also the baby's. In the U. S. , things are changing, but not everyone is on board yet. From 2016 to 2022, data shows more women are facing heart health issues before pregnancy. High blood pressure and diabetes are becoming more common. This is a problem because these conditions can lead to complications during pregnancy. It's a trend that needs attention. On the bright side, more women are getting advice on how to improve their heart health before getting pregnant. Doctors are discussing diet, exercise, and other healthy habits with their patients. This is progress, but it's not enough. Not all women are receiving this crucial advice. Younger women and those from certain backgrounds are less likely to get it. This gap needs to be addressed to ensure everyone gets the help they need. So, what's the bottom line? Heart health before pregnancy is vital. Things are improving, but the pace is slow. It's time to speed things up and make sure all women get the support they need to stay healthy.

questions

    Could a national trend of blaming avocados for all cardiometabolic issues solve the problem?
    If prepregnancy counseling were replaced with memes about healthy eating, would there be a significant change in cardiometabolic risk factors?
    What are the potential biases in the data collection process of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) that could impact the observed trends?

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