Less than 2/3 of high-risk women receive heart screening after childbirth.

Less than 2/3 of high-risk women receive heart screening after childbirth.

Prioritizing Maternal Heart Health: The Fourth Trimester Opportunity

Many women receive inadequate counseling about heart disease after giving birth, according to a recent study. Only 60% of at-risk women reported receiving advice on heart health during their postpartum checkup. This missed opportunity to address maternal heart health is alarming, especially as around 90% of women in the United States visit their doctor during the “fourth trimester.”

The “fourth trimester” is the period immediately following childbirth when women experience physical and psychological changes. It is an ideal time to address heart health because women are already in a medical setting, discussing their well-being. Dr. Sadiya Khan, an assistant professor of cardiology and epidemiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, emphasizes the need to seize this opportunity and prioritize maternal heart health.

Heart health counseling during the postpartum period can include guidance on adopting a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, and shedding the weight gained during pregnancy. These measures are crucial for reducing the long-term risk of heart disease. However, the study reveals that overall rates of counseling for women with heart disease risk factors or pregnancy complications remain low.

Study co-author Dr. Natalie Cameron, an instructor of general internal medicine at Northwestern, highlights the importance of lifestyle counseling during this critical time. She emphasizes that the postpartum visit is just the beginning and calls for improved continuity of care after pregnancy, ensuring that women have access to preventive care. This may involve obstetricians-gynecologists, primary care clinicians, or cardiologists, depending on the patient’s needs and the clinician’s expertise.

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A surprising finding from the study is that only 60% of women remembered receiving counseling about heart health, suggesting that counseling may not be effectively translating into improved heart health outcomes. Dr. Khan stresses the need to identify counseling strategies that effectively improve heart health during the first year after pregnancy.

In addition to counseling improvements, proper systems and policies are necessary to support the transition from pregnancy to postpartum care. It is essential to ensure that women can access healthcare throughout the first year and beyond. Expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months could provide better access to care for the over 40% of U.S. women insured by Medicaid during pregnancy.

As the public health crisis surrounding maternal health continues to grow, raising awareness about the importance of long-term cardiovascular health monitoring and optimization among women with adverse pregnancy outcomes is crucial. Dr. Cameron urges healthcare professionals and policymakers to address this issue and implement measures that support women’s heart health.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, sheds light on the need for comprehensive heart health counseling during the postpartum period. By utilizing the fourth trimester as an ideal opportunity to engage with women, healthcare systems can help empower and support women’s heart health in the long run.

Conclusion

Ensuring effective counseling and continuity of care during the postpartum period is essential for improving women’s heart health. By taking advantage of the already existing doctor visits and conversations about health during the fourth trimester, healthcare professionals can guide women towards healthier lifestyles and reduce their long-term risk of heart disease. Policies that extend postpartum Medicaid coverage and increase awareness of the importance of cardiovascular health monitoring are vital steps towards nurturing the well-being of women after childbirth. Let us turn the fourth trimester into a golden opportunity to prioritize and enhance maternal heart health.