A new study from Northwestern University has revealed that pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and premature birth may negatively affect the cardiovascular health of offspring more than 20 years later.
The researchers discovered that young people whose mothers suffered from high blood pressure during pregnancy had a body mass index that was about 2.8 points higher, a diastolic blood pressure that was 2.3 mmHg higher, as well as higher blood sugar levels and a significant increase in the thickness of artery walls of about 0.02 mm.
These numbers may seem small at first glance, but scientists interpret them alarmingly: this increase in artery wall thickness is roughly equivalent to three to five years of additional "vascular aging." In other words, these young people's arteries appear older and less healthy than expected, increasing their risk of developing heart disease in the future.
The matter did not stop at high blood pressure, but the study also found that exposure to gestational diabetes during pregnancy is associated with high blood pressure and increased artery thickness in children, and that premature birth, which occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy, is associated with higher blood sugar levels in them later.
Dr. Nilay Shah, who supervised the study, says that the risk of heart disease may be passed down through generations through a combination of biological, environmental and behavioral factors, meaning that the mother's health before and during pregnancy directly affects the future heart health of the child.
Dr. Shah emphasizes that this risk is not inevitable but can be avoided through awareness and prevention. He directs a message to mothers who have suffered pregnancy complications that this does not necessarily mean that their children will suffer from health problems when they grow up, but they should pay more attention to their children’s healthy behaviors from a young age.
He adds that promoting health begins in childhood. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, abstaining from smoking, and getting enough sleep are not only beneficial habits for the individual but can also help future generations enjoy better health. Dr. Shah concludes his message by emphasizing that most heart diseases are preventable and advises anyone wondering about their child's health habits or considering making changes to speak with their pediatrician for appropriate advice and guidance.
