Heart-related and other complications during pregnancy are more than twice as likely for Black women of childbearing age than for their white counterparts per new research announced by the American Heart Association. Moreover, for those who had knowledge and awareness of their hypertension diagnosis, Black women exhibited uncontrolled blood pressure at a rate three times greater than their white peers.
Although high blood pressure is relatively common and effects over 15% of childbearing age women in the U.S., it remains one of the foremost causes of serious disease and pregnancy-related fatalities, and Black women are affected at a greater rate.
Importantly, the study also examined social determinants of health factors, including food security, income, education, and access to medical care and insurance. On the topic of blood pressure, for example, food insecurity is a key factor in that high sodium levels disproportionately exist in less expensive food options that might be more affordable by individuals from historically marginalized socioeconomic populations.
The study also found that even after accounting for social determinants of health, the risk factors for high blood pressure persisted to a greater extent among Black women, further highlighting the potential serious impacts on childbearing.
Additional information about the study can be found here.
