PREGNANT women at risk of a potentially fatal illness have been offered fresh hope by a team of scientists in Glasgow.
A study is investigating how the heart and vessels adapt to the dramatic changes during pregnancy in women with increased risk factors such as high blood pressure.
In a healthy woman there is a 50% increase in the amount of blood that gets pumped out of the heart.
The vessels need to expand and get bigger to accommodate this massive blood flow in order to supply the placenta and fetus with the oxygen and nutrients they require.
When the vessels don’t expand enough this can lead to high blood pressure and other complications.
In women with cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure, the placenta, and therefore the fetus, can become under-nourished.
Researchers are investigating how anti-inflammatory medication – already used to treat rheumatoid arthritis – could help the blood vessels adapt so that the cardiovascular system can cope with the pregnancy and keep the baby, and mum, in optimum health.
The research could help expectant mothers avoid serious conditions like pre-eclampsia.
Heather Small is leading the research at Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, funded by the British Heart Foundation.
She said: ““For most pregnant women they won’t know they have high blood pressure until they fall ill or have their first midwife appointment. At that point, they already have a 25 per cent chance of developing severe pre-eclampsia and a 28 per cent chance of delivering their baby prematurely."
Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the BHF, which is funding the research, said: “Research has shown that more and more pregnant women have some form of cardiovascular disease.
“This promising study is helping us better understand the pregnancy complications brought on by cardiovascular disease. With future funding, this research will hopefully lead to new treatments that ensure more mums have a healthy and safe pregnancy."
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