Pregnancy complications increase and unmask cardiovascular risks in obese patients in NIH study

Direct acyclic graph representing a causal structural model of mediation of the association between obesity in early pregnancy and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors after delivery. E indicates exposure; GDM, gestational diabetes; HDP, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; M, mediators; O, outcome; PTB, preterm birth; SBP, systolic blood pressure; SGA, small-for-gestational-age birth; and TC, total cholesterol. *Variable included in sensitivity analysis.

Figure from the study shows a direct acyclic graph representing a causal structural model of mediation of the association between obesity in early pregnancy and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors after delivery. E indicates exposure; GDM, gestational diabetes; HDP, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; M, mediators; O, outcome; PTB, preterm birth; SBP, systolic blood pressure; SGA, small-for-gestational-age birth; and TC, total cholesterol.

New research is providing a broader understanding of how cardiovascular disease risk manifests following pregnancy. Having obesity before and during early pregnancy appears to be a strong indicator of risk for developing future cardiovascular disease and was significantly linked with adverse outcomes during pregnancy.