Maternal Mortality & Heart Health: A Growing Crisis in Pregnancy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – New data released by the CDC reveals a stark disparity in maternal mortality rates: pregnant Black women die at a rate more than three times higher than white women. The report,detailing deaths during pregnancy,childbirth,and up to 42 days postpartum (excluding accidental deaths),recorded 669 maternal deaths in the United States in 2023.
While excessive bleeding, blood vessel blockages, and infections contributed to thes deaths, a notable and frequently enough overlooked factor is preeclampsia – now recognized as a heart disease.
“The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any industrialized country in the world,” states Dr. Connie Graves, a maternal Fetal Medicine Obstetrician in Nashville. Dr. Graves specializes in the care of high-risk pregnancies.
Dr. Graves emphasizes systemic issues contribute to the crisis, notably for Black women. “We know many of the maternal deaths, especially among Black women, are because of the biases that still exist in our system. Frankly, they are less likely to be listened to when they present with complaints.”
Preeclampsia is the number one killer of pregnant women and the leading cause of stillbirth, according to the Preeclampsia Foundation. Recent research over the past two decades has established a critical link between preeclampsia and cardiovascular health, highlighting the importance of recognizing pregnancy as a critical time for heart health.
This understanding is prompting a shift in how healthcare providers approach prenatal care, focusing on identifying and managing cardiovascular risk factors in pregnant women.
For more information on this developing story, visit: https://www.wsmv.com/2025/02/28/heartbeat-heroines-caring-hearts-pregnant-women/
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