Clinical cardiology
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Clinical cardiology · Feb 2018
ReviewAdverse pregnancy outcomes and future maternal cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in women. Although traditional risk factors increase later-life CVD, pregnancy-associated complications additionally influence future CVD risk in women. Recent guidelines for the prevention of CVD in women have added adverse pregnancy outcomes as major CVD risk factors. ⋯ It has been suggested that these pregnancy complications may unmask preexisting elevated CVD risk; however, whether the pathophysiologic changes underlying these conditions directly result in long-term cardiovascular damage is unclear. The purpose of this review was to highlight the associations between adverse pregnancy outcomes and future CVD, and to emphasize the importance of considering pregnancy history in assessing a woman's CVD risk. Targeted efforts to initiate screening and risk-reduction strategies in women with prior history of pregnancy complications, particularly lifestyle modification, may help decrease the burden of CVD in women.
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Clinical cardiology · Feb 2018
ReviewThe connection between the breast and heart in a woman: Breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in women in the United States and is a major public health issue for all women, but it is of increasing concern to breast cancer survivors. Advancements in early detection and breast cancer therapy have resulted in over 90% of women surviving 5 years past their diagnosis of breast cancer. ⋯ Additionally, there is an overlap of risk factors common to both breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. The increased risk of cardiovascular disease in women who survive breast cancer must be recognized, with a focus on the prevention and early detection of cardiovascular disease.