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New research published in the journal Circulation suggests that pregnancy complications could be a significant indicator of underlying genetic risks for coronary artery disease, a leading cause of death among women.
The study, conducted by Tormod Rogne from Yale University/University of Oslo and Dipender Gill from Imperial College London, explored the link between adverse birth outcomes and the risk of heart disease. Researchers aimed to determine whether pregnancy complications directly cause cardiovascular issues or simply reveal a pre-existing vulnerability.
“The connection between pregnancy complications and heart disease is already established. What we do not know for certain is whether pregnancy complications are a direct cause of cardiovascular diseases or if they solely reveal an underlying vulnerability,” explained Rogne.
To investigate this, the research team employed a unique approach, using men as a control group. The hypothesis was that if the link stemmed from shared genetic vulnerabilities, similar connections would be observed in both women and men, even though men cannot experience pregnancy complications.
“We found the same links between genetic vulnerability for pregnancy complications and the risk of coronary artery disease in both women and men. This finding suggests that pregnancy complications do not trigger a risk for future heart disease but provide an important warning sign of a potential genetic vulnerability to cardiovascular diseases,” Rogne stated.
This discovery sheds light on the long-standing mystery surrounding the relationship between pregnancy complications and heart disease. While previous studies have identified a correlation, the causal link remained unclear.
Rogne hopes that this research will stimulate further investigation to definitively establish causation. “Epidemiologists are notoriously cautious about drawing definitive conclusions. Our findings suggest that there is no causal relationship between birth complications and heart disease. However, we will need more studies with different designs to fully unlock this mystery,” he said.
Despite the lack of a direct causal link, the predictive value of pregnancy complications remains significant. Rogne emphasized, “The predictive value of a pregnancy complication remains. However, if it can be established that the complication itself does not trigger a vulnerability to heart disease, it could be reassuring for the woman—that the pregnancy complication has not caused harm but has instead revealed a vulnerability to heart disease that we can now attempt to prevent.”
The researchers encourage further studies to validate these findings and explore potential preventive measures.
Reference: Tormod Rogne et al, Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Coronary Artery Disease Risk: A Negative Control Mendelian Randomization Study, Circulation (2025). DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.070509
Disclaimer: This article is based on preliminary research findings and should not be interpreted as definitive medical advice. Individuals experiencing pregnancy complications or concerned about their heart health should consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance and assessment. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between pregnancy complications and cardiovascular disease.
