82 SEPTEMBER 2019 / WOMANSDAY.COM
after pregnancy; incorrect and
delayed diagnoses; and failure—
by both patients and doctors—to
recognize warning signs, says
Emily Petersen, M.D., lead author
of the CDC study. (See “Baby
Your Heart,” right, for tips on
protecting yourself or loved ones.)
LOOKING FORWARD
There is some progress:
The American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists
recently published guidelines
recommending that all women
be assessed for cardiovascular
disease when pregnant.
There’s also been a flurry of
new legislation addressing
maternal mortality, including
the MOMMIES Act, which would
expand Medicaid coverage and
enhance the care women get
during pregnancy and in the
year after childbirth. “The fact
that pregnant women are dying
means that women overall
need increased access to health
care and health centers,” says
Leana Wen, M.D., president of
Planned Parenthood.
For now, experts stress
how important it is that pregnant
women trust their guts and be
their own advocates when they
just know someth ing is w rong. It’s
a sentiment that Stacy-Ann—and
the families of women who ended
up in far more tragic scenarios—
can relate to. “If we had caught
[my heart failure] earlier, I would
have been labeled as high-risk
and received additional care,”
she says. “Maybe things could
have turned out differently.”
BABY YOUR HEART
If you or a loved one is pregnant or planning to
get pregnant, here’s heart-healthy advice:GET A HEART-HEALTH
SCREENING
Only 6% of women who died
from pregnancy-related causes
had previously been diagnosed
with heart disease.
KNOW YOUR NUMBERS
That includes your blood
pressure, cholesterol, blood
sugar, and BMI. If yours are
high, talk with your doctor
about lifestyle shifts such as
changing your diet or walking
more, which could give your
heart health a boost.
LOOK OUT FOR RED FLAGS
Signs of heart trouble such
as swelling or being exhaustedpregnancy symptoms. “If
it’s hindering daily activity,
absolutely go to your doctor,”
says Suzanne Steinbaum, D.O.
Being tired at the end of a walk,
for example, is normal; being
so out of breath that you can
barely make it a block is not.
BE VOCAL
You know your body best. If
you suspect something is wrong,
don’t accept a short (even if
well-intended) “You’re fine”BE PROACTIVE
Preeclampsia doubles
your lifetime risk
for stroke, so talk
to your doctor about
ways to counter
this risk now.GETTY^IMAGES.