Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 19, 2025

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
14:43

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

12.0K

Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease among Pregnant Women in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Andrea A López-Cepero1, Stephanie Cameron2, Mariana González3

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal
|June 18, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Cardiovascular disease risk factors are common in pregnant women in Puerto Rico, especially in older age groups. Identifying and managing these risks is crucial for maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death for women in Puerto Rico (PR).
  • Pregnancy-associated cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVDRF), including obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and hypertension, pose significant risks to maternal and neonatal health.
  • There is a scarcity of data regarding the prevalence of CVDRF among pregnant women in PR.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of key CVDRF in a cohort of pregnant women in Puerto Rico.
  • To investigate the association between maternal age and the prevalence of CVDRF.
  • To provide data for targeted interventions to improve maternal and neonatal health in PR.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study analyzed medical records of 264 pregnant women (aged 21-35) with no prior pregnancies in San Juan, PR (2018-2019).
  • Key CVDRF assessed included pre-pregnancy obesity, T2D, gestational diabetes, hypertension, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
  • Logistic and multinomial regressions, adjusted for sociodemographic variables, were used to evaluate associations between age and CVDRF prevalence.

Main Results:

  • Pre-pregnancy obesity was the most common CVDRF, affecting 23.5% of participants.
  • Women aged 31-35 years exhibited significantly higher odds of T2D/gestational diabetes (OR=4.66) and were more likely to have two or more CVDRFs (RRR=2.73).

Conclusions:

  • Findings indicate an increased prevalence of CVDRF with advancing maternal age, consistent with global trends.
  • Higher rates of gestational diabetes and obesity in older pregnant women highlight shared risks across diverse populations.
  • This study underscores the critical need for early identification and management of CVDRF in pregnant women in PR to mitigate maternal and neonatal complications.
Abstract

Keywords:
CVD risk factorsHispanicPregnancyPuerto RicoWomen

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles05:31

Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles

Published on: January 26, 2024

951
Author Spotlight: Assessing the Cardiovascular Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome06:04

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Cardiovascular Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Published on: September 27, 2024

1.1K

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
69
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
39
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
82
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
3.0K
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
1.2K
Factors affecting Blood pressure01:28

Factors affecting Blood pressure

Several physiological and lifestyle factors influence blood pressure (BP). Understanding these factors is crucial as they are significant in patient education and blood pressure management.
Physiological Factors:
5.1K