News from UTHealth Houston: Pregnancy complications linked to increased risk of peripheral artery disease
Researchers from UTHealth Houston analyzed 42 years of data from over 2 million women in Sweden, revealing that pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes are associated with a higher risk of developing peripheral artery disease up to 46 years later.
UTHealth Houston researchers have found a connection between pregnancy complications and peripheral artery disease risk. Details from their PLOS Medicine-published study are reported in a press release.
Casey Crump, MD, PhD, MPHand collaborators assessed 42 years’ worth of data from more than 2 million mothers. Each woman gave birth to a single baby between 1973 and 2015 in Sweden and had a pregnancy complication.
Their analysis uncovered a link between “all adverse pregnancy outcomes” and peripheral artery disease risk “up to 46 years later.” Dr. Crump emphasized that women who experience complications such as preterm delivery, small for gestational age, preeclampsia, other hypertensive disorders, and gestational diabetes should consult their primary care physician and monitor for peripheral artery disease and other cardiovascular risks.
