Long term effects of parity on maternal autonomic function

The mechanisms by which parity and gravidity, number of pregnancies reaching twenty weeks gestational age and total number of pregnancies, respectively, contribute to cardiovascular disease risk remains unknown. Autonomic function was assessed in 65 parous women 1-5 years after normotensive pregnancy, quantified by spontaneous cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and beat-to-beat blood pressure variability (BPV). Gravidity was negatively associated with BRS independent of age and body mass index (β = -2.01, P = 0.003). A similar trend was observed with greater parity (β = -1.74, P = 0.06). Gravidity and parity were not associated with BPV. These findings suggest a persistent and cumulative adverse effect of pregnancy on cardiac autonomic function in women.