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Review
. 2024 Jun;21(3):203-213.
doi: 10.1007/s11897-024-00657-x. Epub 2024 Mar 20.

Pregnancy, Reproductive Factors, and Female Heart Failure Risk and Outcomes

Guillermo Moreno  1   2 , Manuel Martínez-Sellés  3   4   5   6 , María Jesús Vicente-Galán  1   7 , Lourdes Vicent  2   8   9
Affiliations
Review

Pregnancy, Reproductive Factors, and Female Heart Failure Risk and Outcomes

Guillermo Moreno et al. Curr Heart Fail Rep. 2024 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of recent evidence on female-specific risk factors related to reproductive status or pregnancy.

Recent findings: Pregnancy-related factors, including hypertensive disorders and gestational diabetes, increase the risk of heart failure in women, while breastfeeding and hormone therapy may offer protection. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, placental abruption, younger maternal age at first live birth, younger maternal age at last live birth, number of stillbirths, number of pregnancies, onset of menstruation before 12 years of age, shorter reproductive age, ovariectomy, and prolonged absence of ovarian hormones may increase the risk of heart failure in women. Conversely, breastfeeding status and hormone therapy (for menopause or contraception) may serve as protective factors, while fertility treatments have no discernible effect on the risk of heart failure.

Keywords: Female sex; Heart failure; Reproductive factors; Risk factor; Woman gender.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance
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