Pregnancy Complications Can Double Stroke Risk in Younger Moms

Nearly 1 in 7 moms have or will face a pregnancy complication—a potentially serious condition that can affect the health of the mother, baby or both if left untreated—in their lifetime. Whether this shows up as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or preterm birth, it’s best to be prepared not only during your pregnancy but also for what can come after.

New research published in the journal Neurology has found a link between pregnancy complications and an increased stroke risk in women before the age of 50. The study looked at over a thousand women aged 18 to 49 who had suffered an ischemic stroke and compared their pregnancy histories with those of 714 women who had not experienced a stroke. The results showed that more than half of the women (50.7%) who had an ischemic stroke had experienced at least one complication during pregnancy, compared to 30.7% of women who had not experienced any complications.

Diving further, researchers looked at how risk could be affected by individual complications, finding that:

• Preeclampsia and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) translated into a stroke risk that was four times higher than average.
• Preterm births and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) births led to 2.7 and 2.8 times higher odds, respectively.
• Gestational diabetes was linked to stroke rates 2.6 times higher.
• Stillbirths carried odds of a stroke nearly five times higher than average, while miscarriages resulted in a more modest increase at 1.3 times higher.

Despite this concerning rise in risk, study co-author and neurologist Frank-Erik de Leeuw of Radboud University Medical Center emphasizes that overall stroke risk in women under 50 remains low, with only 10–15% of women under 50 experiencing a stroke. Still, stroke rates among young people have been increasing in the past few years, with young women most at risk.

While the study doesn’t determine an exact cause for this increase, the study’s first author, Esmée Verburgt, says pregnancy “places a tremendous strain on the body, and if complications arise, it may indicate vulnerable blood vessels.” Another possible explanation? Pregnancy itself and the development of the placenta may lead to vascular abnormalities, resulting in atherosclerosis—or a buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls—which could later cause a stroke.

The researchers hope this discovery might help mothers and doctors be more vigilant in assessing risk and starting preventative care sooner for those who need it. While current guidelines recommend screening women with preeclampsia for cardiovascular disease at 50, de Leeuw suggests doctors should start earlier by simply measuring blood pressure once a year.

This isn’t the first study to link pregnancy with a higher risk of cardiovascular issues. Learn more about what parents and moms-to-be need to know about heart health from Black Heart Association founder and heart attack survivor Tara Robinson.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.