Pregnancy as a Cardiovascular Stress Test: New Insights and Aftercare
Pregnancy places a unique strain on a woman’s cardiovascular system, and new research suggests this stress can provide early indications of long-term heart health. A study conducted by researchers at the University Hospital of Freiburg in Germany, in collaboration with Danish colleagues, has revealed that certain blood markers during pregnancy can predict the future development of cardiovascular diseases, even in women previously considered healthy.
Study Findings: Blood Markers and Long-Term Risk
The research, published on February 18, 2026, in JAMA Cardiology, examined the blood of over 2,000 pregnant women and linked the results with health data from approximately twelve years of follow-up. Researchers found that elevated levels of the blood marker sFlt-1 in the last trimester of pregnancy, coupled with gestational high blood pressure, were associated with a higher risk of serious cardiovascular diseases later in life. This combination of factors proved to be a more accurate predictor of risk than traditional factors like blood pressure or cholesterol levels alone. The data came from a larger cohort study in southern Denmark involving 38,455 pregnant women, with blood markers measured in 2,056 of them. Within around 12 years, 28 women developed cardiovascular disease, at an average age of 40.
Pregnancy: A Natural Stress Test for the Heart
“Pregnancy acts like a natural stress test for the heart,” explains Prof. Dr. Dirk Westermann, Medical Director of the Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology at the University Hospital of Freiburg. “With our findings, we can improve women’s health in the long term. Because cardiovascular diseases continue to be the number one cause of death in women.”
Dr. Lucas Bacmeister, cardiologist at the Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology at the University Hospital of Freiburg, and lead author of the study, adds, “Our study shows that evidence can be found during pregnancy that indicates a later increased cardiovascular risk – long before symptoms appear.”
New Aftercare Consultation at Freiburg University Hospital
In response to these findings, the University Hospital of Freiburg has established a specialized aftercare consultation for women who experienced pregnancy-induced hypertension, also known as preeclampsia. Preeclampsia affects six to ten percent of all pregnant women. This consultation is available not only to women who gave birth at the Freiburg University Hospital but also to those with gestational hypertension who delivered elsewhere.
“With the consultation, we are creating a clear point of contact for women after pregnancy hypertension,” says Dr. Bacmeister, who coordinates the consultation. “With standardized appointments a few weeks after birth and again after a year, we can identify early on who needs closer care and take targeted countermeasures.”
The consultation is a collaborative effort between cardiology and gynecology. “Structured aftercare is an important step in keeping an eye on the long-term health of the patient,” adds Prof. Dr. Ingolf Juhasz-Böss, head of the gynecology clinic at the Freiburg University Hospital. A scientific register will be used to continuously improve the program.
Looking Ahead
This research highlights the importance of recognizing pregnancy as a critical window for assessing and mitigating long-term cardiovascular risk in women. The new aftercare consultation at the University Hospital of Freiburg represents a proactive step towards improving women’s heart health and reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease.