Intro: This is another episode of Ask a Scientist. I’m Asia Chandler here with Dr. Patrice Desvigne-Nickens from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at NIH talking about maternal health.

AC: Why is it so important to pay attention to heart-related conditions during pregnancy?

PDN: During pregnancy there are the likelihood of high blood pressure, or what’s called preeclampsia, or gestational diabetes. These things complicate the mother’s health as well as the baby’s. Just as important is that women who have these adverse events are two to four times more likely to develop high blood pressure or diabetes within two to seven years of the pregnancy.

AC: So even if my high blood pressure goes back down, I’m still at higher risk? 

PDN: Yes. 

PDN: It’s very important to understand that preeclampsia can occur even after a normal pregnancy. That is why every mom has a doctor’s checkup within six weeks. 

Outro: To learn more about pregnancy and heart health, visit nhlbi.nih.gov.