Approximately 15% of children in the U.S. experience developmental delays, and that figure is increasing.
A recent study suggests that a particular aspect of maternal health significantly impacts whether children will encounter these issues.
“Pregnancy isn’t like Vegas; what happens during pregnancy doesn’t just stay there,” Dr. Evelina Grayver stated. “The effects extend far beyond the mother, influencing the child for their entire life.”
This study indicates that a mother’s heart health influences the womb environment, which can affect the brain and behavior development of the child for years to come.
Grayver, who directs women’s heart health at Northwell Health, remarked, “I’m not surprised by these findings. It’s quite illuminating that we’ve reached a point where we can recognize this connection.”
Findings from the research
The study assessed the heart health of over 8,000 mothers by evaluating their diet, physical activity, smoking habits, sleep patterns, body mass index, and blood levels (cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure). They were categorized into groups based on their cardiovascular health.
Among mothers with high heart health, only 8.8% had children with developmental delays by age four. In contrast, that number nearly doubled to 16.8% for mothers with poor heart health.
“Mothers with low cardiovascular health faced a 62% higher risk of their child having developmental delays, which indicates the significant role maternal heart health plays in long-term neurodevelopment,” Grayver noted.
Poor heart health was linked to delays in various developmental areas, including communication, gross and fine motor skills, problem-solving, and social abilities. Notably, social skills showed the greatest impairment.
“Why does this happen? Well, when someone’s cardiovascular health is not optimal, they are more susceptible to complications during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia and premature delivery, which can hinder the child’s proper developmental timeline,” Grayver explained.
A healthy heart in the mother is crucial for efficiently delivering blood to the placenta, which supplies oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.
“Improving a woman’s heart health before and during pregnancy could be one of the earliest chances we have to positively affect lifelong health for both mothers and their children,” Grayver emphasized.
Overall health benefits
Taking care of one’s heart is clearly beneficial. Good heart health is tied to reduced heart disease risk, longer lifespans, and enhanced quality of life.
Past research shows that poor maternal heart health can significantly impact pregnancy, increasing risks for conditions like preeclampsia and resulting in worse outcomes for children’s health as they grow, especially between the ages of 10 and 14.
People often underestimate their ability to improve their heart health.
“Cardiology is actually quite straightforward… 80% of cardiovascular diseases are preventable, while 20% are genetic,” Grayver pointed out. “Understanding genetics is important before pregnancy, but recognizing that a significant portion is preventable is crucial for the health of both mothers and their children.”
Suggestions for enhancing heart health
In 2010, the American Heart Association introduced Life’s Essential 7 to promote heart health, covering diet, exercise, smoking exposure, weight management, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. They recently added sleep, updating it to Life’s Essential 8.
Grayver recommends familiarizing oneself with these eight guidelines and then focusing on them.
- Examine your diet. Aim for a Mediterranean-style diet: more fish, less red meat, lean meats, vegetables, fruits, and olive oil.
- Be physically active for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
- Prioritize sleep; aim for a restful seven to eight hours each night.
“This is how a young woman, who might become a mother, should approach optimizing her heart health,” she concluded.
