July 30, 2024
Thanks to advancements in medical and surgical treatments in recent years, the demographic profile of pregnant women, including those with congenital heart disease (CHD), has shifted dramatically. A rise in the number of older expectant mothers (those in their 30s and 40s) has led to an increased prevalence of those with acquired cardiovascular disease (CVD) during pregnancy. This demographic shift, along with the presence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors in pregnant women such as diabetes, hypertension, and pre-eclampsia, has heightened the risk.
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CVD affects approximately 1-4% of all pregnancies and is responsible for 10-15% of maternal deaths, making it the leading cause of death during pregnancy and the postpartum period in the United States. Mortality rates are particularly high among women of color and those from lower-income backgrounds. To combat these risks, patients' cardiac status should be monitored for cardiovascular risk factors and preconception counseling provided to assist patients in the identification and circumvention of social, behavioral, environmental and biomedical risks that can contribute to CVD risk in pregnancy.
Innovative solutions like Mother Goose Health are pioneering integrated healthcare systems that facilitate remote monitoring and secure data transfer between healthcare providers, ensuring that all aspects of a patient's health are meticulously managed.
Cardiovascular diseases can manifest through a variety of pathologies, each exacerbated by the physiological changes accompanying pregnancy. Not only are existing conditions potentially intensified but new cardiovascular challenges may also be triggered. As cardiac output and blood volume demands increase during pregnancy, women with pre-existing cardiac conditions such as hypertension or cardiomyopathy will be at a greater risk of heart failure. The etiology of these diseases varies; for example, cardiomyopathy in pregnancy could stem from factors like autoimmune responses or viral infections, exacerbated by pregnancy-specific changes.
Apart from the typical risks including high cholesterol, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle, pregnancy itself introduces specific challenges such as the increased workload on the heart and shifts in metabolic demands. Furthermore, conditions unique to or intensified by pregnancy, such as preeclampsia and postpartum hypertension, which both include forms of high blood pressure that can lead to significant complications for both mother and child, adding layers of risk, and lead to an increased risk of heart attack, heart disease and stroke.
The consequences of unmanaged cardiovascular conditions during pregnancy can pose significant threats, leading to maternal morbidity and mortality, as well as adverse outcomes for the baby, including intrauterine growth restriction and premature birth. Managing these risks via early detection, regular monitoring, and the adaptation of treatment plans for the physiological changes of pregnancy is essential for improving both maternal and fetal outcomes.
Patients with CHD during pregnancy face markedly higher healthcare expenses, incurring additional costs averaging $8,319 per pregnancy compared to those without CHD. This includes increased engagements with outpatient cardiologists and other specialized care requirements. From 2010 to 2016, the total out-of-pocket and insurance-covered costs for such patients tallied up to an adjusted $76.1 million and $7.3 million respectively, underlining the economic strain of inadequate cardiovascular care during pregnancy.
Inadequate management can also lead to severe maternal morbidity and elevated mortality rates, necessitating prolonged medical interventions and sustained healthcare services. This not only escalates direct medical costs but also increases the indirect costs associated with lost productivity and long-term disability, magnifying the economic strain on families and healthcare infrastructures. Thus, investing in preventive care and early intervention is vital to mitigating these costs, and ensuring better health outcomes for mothers and children alike.
Addressing the persistent issue of poor maternal cardiovascular health can disrupt the cycle of generational heart disease, particularly among women affected by systemic inequalities.
Mother Goose Health addresses cardiovascular risks during pregnancy and in the postpartum period by focusing on modifiable and actionable cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure, weight management, and nutrition. The platform enables early intervention by monitoring blood pressure and tracking weight gain, crucial for preventing hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases prevalent in pregnancy.
By providing nutritional support early in pregnancy, Mother Goose Health promotes optimal health for both mother and baby. The platform connects users with nutritional advice and local food support services, leveraging health plan benefits and government programs like WIC and SNAP, as well as connecting users with weight management programs. With Mother Goose Health, members no longer need multiple applications to connect with providers, access educational information, or utilize community resources. The app consolidates everything into one solution, allowing customers and providers to access all metric data to improve outcomes while simplifying the journey for expectant mothers.