Pregnancy and heart disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women and complicates around 1–4% of pregnancies in Aotearoa. It’s important to talk with your midwife about your heart health, both during and after pregnancy.
How does pregnancy affect my heart?
Pregnancy is often referred to as the ‘ultimate stress test’ for the body. During pregnancy, your heart works harder as it pumps much more blood around your body.
Some pregnancy complications can also be early warning signs for future heart problems and can increase your risk of heart disease.
Asking your midwife about heart disease is one of the best things you can do for your heart.
Hypertensive disorders, like high blood pressure, affect around 5-10% of pregnancies
Pre-eclampsia affects approximately 3-8% of pregnancies in New Zealand
Heart disease affects approximately
1-4% of pregnancies
Which pregnancy complications affect my heart health?
Certain pregnancy complications can increase your long-term risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. These include:
High blood pressure during pregnancy
Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
Preterm birth (before 37 weeks)
A small or large baby for their gestational age
If you experience pregnancy complications, you should have an annual heart health check.
Complications from heart disease can arise after delivery. Your post-natal care should continue into the fourth trimester (the first 12 weeks after birth).
Better care for pregnant women with heart disease
If you have heart disease, you may need specialist care during your pregnancy.
Typically, this is provided through Pregnancy Heart Teams - multidisciplinary groups of cardiologists, midwives, and other specialists working together from preconception through postpartum.
While this level of specialist care is available in major hospitals in New Zealand, access to them remains inconsistent and often depends on where a woman lives rather than on her level of risk.
Kōrero with your midwife about heart disease
Your midwife is there to support you through your entire pregnancy.
Even if you don’t think you’re at risk, it’s important to ask your midwife about your heart health. These conversations can protect your health for years to come, benefiting both you and your baby.
Download, print and complete the checklist to take along to your next appointment.
