Cardiovascular Diseases Requiring Referral

Cardiovascular disease complicates a small proportion of pregnancies but remains the leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States. Early recognition, risk stratification, and timely referral by obstetric providers to specialized pregnancy heart teams are critical to improving outcomes. This article outlines which cardiovascular conditions require referral, when referral should occur, and how care should be coordinated. Emphasis is placed on the use of risk stratification tools, identification of red flag symptoms, and the role of multidisciplinary pregnancy heart teams in optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes.