Protecting Maternal Heart Health: Prevention and Care Before, During, and After Pregnancy

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the United States and a major contributor to pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality. More than half of pregnancy-related deaths occur from 7 days to 1 year after delivery, and more than 75 percent of pregnancy-related cardiovascular deaths are potentially preventable. Clinical preventive services before, during, and after pregnancy – as well as between pregnancies – can help reduce risk and protect long-term cardiovascular health.The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) requested that the National Academies convene an expert committee to identify clinical preventive services to reduce pregnancy-related cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, assess how HRSA programs can support access and uptake of clinical preventive services, and identify research priorities. The resulting report presents the committee’s conclusions and recommendations, including two clinical preventive services supported for implementation now.