---
title: Risk Factors that affect Heart Health during Pregnancy
date: 2020-08-21T03:00:00-04:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/risk-factors-that-affect-heart-health-during-pregnancy"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Risk Factors that affect Heart Health during Pregnancy

An overview for people with a heart condition on how that might affect pregnancy, what risks exist, and how to prepare.

> Certain heart conditions, especially narrowing of the mitral valve or aortic valve, can pose life-threatening risks for mother or baby. Depending on the circumstances, some heart conditions require major treatments — such as heart surgery — before you try to conceive.

[Read the full article ](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20045977)

SOURCE: Mayo Clinic • LAST UPDATED: November 23, 2022

![Pexels rodnae productions pregnant white woman scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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) RODNAE Productions/Pexels

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ heart health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/heart-health)
- [ pregnancy & birth](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/pregnancy-birth)
- [ pregnancy & postpartum heart health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/pregnancy-postpartum-heart-health)
- [heart disease](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/heart-disease)
- [self-advocacy](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/self-advocacy)
- [pregnancy](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/pregnancy)

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##### More to Explore

[ResourcesRead

## Pregnancy Complications and Heart Failure Risk

Complications during pregnancy can lead to cardiovascular risk down the road, including the risk of heart failure.

![pexels-ivan-samkov-pregnant-woman-belly](data:image/png;base64,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)

Complications during pregnancy can lead to cardiovascular risk down the road, including the risk of heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/pregnancy-complications-and-heart-failure-risk)

[ResourcesRead

## Pregnancy Complications May Signal Future Heart Health Troubles

There is growing data showing the link between complications during pregnancy and risk for future heart disease.

![Pexels shvets production pregnant black woman scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

There is growing data showing the link between complications during pregnancy and risk for future heart disease.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/pregnancy-complications-may-signal-future-heart-health-troubles)

[ResourcesRead

## Tips on Maintaining Heart Health during Pregnancy

Keeping your heart healthy during and after pregnancy is possible and may be easier than you think.

![Pexels cottonbro two pregnant women scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

Keeping your heart healthy during and after pregnancy is possible and may be easier than you think.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/tips-on-maintaining-heart-health-during-pregnancy)

[ResourcesRead

## Heart Health and Pregnancy

A heart-healthy pregnancy is possible, even for people with a personal or family history of heart disease.

![cdc-c8fnD1rKGCk](data:image/png;base64,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)

A heart-healthy pregnancy is possible, even for people with a personal or family history of heart disease.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/heart-health-and-pregnancy)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Dealing with Doctors and My Heart Health

TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure.

![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,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)

TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-heart-health1)

[Stories & ConversationsRead

## Living with Congestive Heart Failure

TC shares how she felt immediately after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

![Alexandru-Acea-unsplash](data:image/png;base64,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)

TC shares how she felt immediately after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-living-with-congestive-heart-failure)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Interacting with My Cardiologist

TC discusses her relationship with the cardiologist she was assigned after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,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)

TC discusses her relationship with the cardiologist she was assigned after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-heart-health3)

[ResourcesRead

## Ten Things Every LGBT Older Adult Should Know about Heart Disease

This factsheet provides tips for maintaining heart health, with a particular focus on LGBT older adults.

![pexels-centre-for-ageing-better-11674389](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAEeElEQVRIiXVWzbK1NgyTDV/f/7266bpv0UXbQ2xJXTjh3v4xGYbDAclSROL49ZefAdiWJEuiJIkWLcIKK6CEE85AAgGEDUCS5Kaq+bSe6k/xU/0pPsVFtZQAbBj/e/g/fhjz2vfbPjcNnJONez82t7wHfFjtgM9bQMB2YD8zGPO39zVka+7Ktm+9xF/D57Uj7eDZiC8OW7ZgQbJtybItax+WdPtb7fLfLiC8imw75mrr3Yj/GBQlSqRaaurma5k2rgwfnaFDsA0Y7C1nEGfw+2g12a2WbupYpP3OET5FOuycK8CwgJjYGZJFv6Bsdaub3aw5858EkGDaMmTIYcPS/AcDzp0ZWJZMbWi+0MVqVnF1F3U3sQvyLtzCRCGkkMLK8QvWDujOD+VvtbNLXexiVdeq1Szpbg0+LMA2bQlnhJQTFAtwnEzDlvGaPrhdXdWreq16qp/qEu/izuk2ndsccJc/ro1FYRuIyYK2gm6ewk/tq9eqp2tRd9M7eXqt10aXYtYMcyxKbxGT/WPRtqVX1+qNvtZT/ZB3tY9H3s5QkIJKMUSbEHfIgDjfuWTS/SpYU37XqvWsZ61P1UPei2dx+OZ7kEFKTNFqjAI7RsEppqlD0H3Qa9UajqqHfVfr1Rx/Jxh0q3ck7cAhGKk0yW726l7d1VVVq2qttdaz1ucQ7JJCghhikEmmOtWX2uJl2Q7jJaBAma35rrq6q3r1K6HWWl0vwYEWgwwx2clB78u0dFmHIGxQIN1D0P3GaE/FWrU+1XVXcwhCPOX3oKfaqqOAttMIxztfvRWMTbNQlKpUi/2oH9W6qwk7LJihDnZoCCpZVnlcsi5bnoUovOfL2gSlGSxxmct83B/zubt6W2QOehz0S+XhMPO7AoQV8kyyRJpttlRWQQWt0JP6pD53dwOAx58hqF3+VlB2X6LhNBKBiatiVlOJB7qhgiu80s+Fz40/huCd5A7Wa5G4pCUtq20lfBlCBBIOOTjpnTS74QpUojLqjnXHnz/F718EocbMASu5kpVa5rIX1DYv2Ig8BHs3ki3BBTTQgU7UHXXn+nF94N9ufinoUIF1LFqpMh+7oJqN7gKMDGQgZwvd+zwaqIzO6My+su5cP11/BJ5bXWcOGodAw6FlLWvBZQthIByZSCCB1O48NLVHdEZf2ffVP65l/x6Bm/xSADZUsTnWxQUt6AEKUMCIMNJxRVzYImwoghHMYGZf2Xf2j7uMCuE2+2xWDRbYIyJYfhWgAoyxJy7gSlzANd81wkBHdERn8rp4qW+XgRRuHQVWg211qMEKlVnQgp9wRTDgQEZcyBtQhICcZmwrSF6pK3VflNtABG6L00NBbRFsc+I0n0yFi14RnQEqI+94W73JFIxghCKUyWtoLv6bQLvhFaEO7WmXK7BkKpHI3fMFpvZpYgY9UiFnOtOXaQOB29qrqf22RJx9WOpQy51oR8twXAISaUTMBCAAjGMBRyjCmUo7DRj36WBP62B5usbdfMngDOytL316ysCmCBjhCEfgPWfAwF8/+dlDkZzctgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)

This factsheet provides tips for maintaining heart health, with a particular focus on LGBT older adults.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/10-things-lgbt-heart-disease)