Lactation and maternal cardiovascular disease risk in later life

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. The identification of protective factors against cardiovascular disease is important with regard to public health policies. Lactation has multiple beneficial effects for both mother and child. This review summarizes the evidence on the association between lactation and maternal cardiovascular risk in later life. Lactation may help to reverse the metabolic and cardiovascular changes that take place during pregnancy. Overall, lactation seems to exert a protective effect against the development of hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes, whilst data on postpartum weight and lipidemic profile are less conclusive. Both subclinical and clinical cardiovascular disease are negatively associated with a history of lactation. Increased energy expenditure and a favorable hormonal and adipokine profile during lactation may explain these associations.