Pregnancy, cardiovascular health, and microchimerism

Sara Hallum Søndergaard, Mads Kamper-Jørgensen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReviewResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Purpose of reviewTo provide an updated review of scientific literature concerning associations between pregnancy and cardiovascular health among women, and to discuss a possible impact of microchimerism on the association.Recent findingsIn most studies, pregnancy and childbirth is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in women. Some ascribe the association mainly to lifestyle, whereas others suggest that pregnancy itself negatively affects women's cardiovascular health. Pregnancy is a natural source of microchimerism, which in turn markedly affects female health. The only study published in the area surprisingly shows that among middle-aged women, male-origin microchimerism (MOM) is associated with half the risk of developing ischemic heart disease (IHD). No similar association is found between MOM and ischemic stroke.SummaryThe sparse evidence published suggests reduced risk of developing IHD among MOM-positive women. Despite the association being biologically plausible, replication of the findings is warranted to support that this is not a chance finding.

Original languageEnglish
JournalCurrent Opinion in Lipidology
Volume35
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)7-13
Number of pages7
ISSN0957-9672
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • cardiovascular disease
  • microchimerism
  • pregnancy
  • review

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