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

AC: Tell me, Dr. Desvigne-Nickens, are Black women at greater risk for complications during pregnancy?

PDN: Maternal health disparities are really staggering. Black women are four times more likely to experience a severe event following preeclampsia, this is high blood pressure during pregnancy, compared to white women.

AC: Where do we even start in addressing that?

PDN: One of the most important things is that patient/provider bond. Patients deserve to have a health care provider that they have complete trust in. 

AC: Can you say more about that?

PDN: Many complications of pregnancy are preventable. Paying attention to what might be a problem for you can mean the difference, so when you say you’re not feeling well your provider has responsibility to understand this is a difference that needs to be explored. 

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