Physiology and Metabolism of Thyroid

Cardiovascular Disease & Pregnancy/ Pregnancy & Heart Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) complicates 1% to 4% of pregnancies,1 with congenital heart disease (CHD) being the most common preexisting condition and hypertension the most common acquired condition. The incidence of maternal CVD appears to be growing, likely due to increasing maternal age, cardiovascular risk factors (i.e., obesity, diabetes, and hypertension,) and lifespan of patients with CHD. Studies suggest that pregnancy-related mortality has also increased over the last several decades, with deaths attributable to CVD increasing over the same time period.