Heart disease and pregnancy: Prevention, treatments and a new approach

Pregnancy is like a stress test on the body. Most women adapt just fine, but for some, the strain can dramatically raise the risk of heart disease — even in young women. Worse, that risk can remain elevated for years and even decades. On this episode, host Sandra Lindsay, DHS-c, RN, speaks with Evelina Grayver, MD, about how to prevent heart-related problems before, during and after pregnancy. Because heart disease continues to be the No. 1 cause of maternal mortality in the US, Dr. Grayver helped launch a cutting-edge Cardio-Obstetrics Program at Northwell Health to help detect and prevent heart issues for expectant moms.

The specialty is relatively new, so education for patients and clinicians is critical, says Dr. Grayver, who serves as director of Northwell's Women’s Heart Program for the Central Region; and is a member of the Katz Institute for Women's Health.

In this episode, she discusses the need for:

• Pre-conception counseling with a cardiologist and OB/GYN
• Understanding your risks before, during and after pregnancy
• Learning the difference between common signs and symptoms of pregnancy and adverse cardiac events like preeclampsia
• Diet and exercise during pregnancy

Additional reading

• Cardiac patient shares her renewed hope for a healthy pregnancy thanks to cardio-obstetrics program. Watch video.
• Catherine Weinberg, MD, explains that the stress pregnancy places on the heart doesn’t stop at delivery in this Expert Insights column for the Katz Institute for Women's Health. 
• By addressing the influence of pregnancy, genetics or cancer on heart health, experts explain how hybrid approaches to care are making a difference.