McGill study finds pregnancy complications signal earlier heart disease risk in women

A McGill University study has found that pregnancy complications could help identify women at risk for heart disease years earlier than existing tools allow.

Researchers analyzed data from over 260,000 women in the UK aged 15 to 45 who had given birth, tracking them for four years after delivery. They developed a prediction model that considers factors including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), depression, thyroid disorders, oral contraceptive use, and social deprivation.

The findings are significant because existing cardiovascular risk assessments were developed in older populations and ignore factors specific to women's reproductive health. "Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet existing risk tools were developed in older populations and ignore factors unique to women," said Robert Platt, professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health and director of the School of Population and Global Health.

Younger women are often considered low-risk for cardiovascular disease, meaning they may never be screened for heart disease risk despite having experienced pregnancy complications that should raise concerns. Co-author Kristian Filion, professor in the Departments of Medicine and of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, noted: "Millions of women who give birth each year are never considered candidates for cardiovascular risk assessment simply because of their age."

If integrated into routine postpartum care, the tool could allow earlier monitoring, lifestyle counselling, or specialist referrals—potentially preventing heart attacks or strokes later in life. Researchers are working to integrate a practical calculator into electronic health records so higher-risk patients can be identified earlier.