Recent research has shown that pregnant women that eat high-fat dairy products, processed junk foods, and red meat could be putting the unborn child at risk of a heart attack. According to the study, high cholesterol levels in mom-to-be increase cardiovascular disease risk by around 40%.
Saturated fats increase cholesterol levels in pregnant women
Consumption of trans and saturated fats in processed foods and red meat might increase cholesterol levels in pregnant women. According to a patient analysis, there is a connection between cardiovascular events and the cholesterol levels of the mother during pregnancy.
Lead study author Dr. Francesco Cacciatore said cholesterol level is usually not measured during pregnancy, which is why little research is on its link to offspring health. However, according to Dr. Cacciatore, pregnant women should continue their physical activity and limit their hot dogs, burgers, and fries intake. These findings also allow for a screening program. As a result, at-risk adults may need to change their lifestyles or take cholesterol-lowering statins.
Dr. Cacciatore stated that once proven, the connection would mean high cholesterol during pregnancy has to be taken as a warning indicator, and women are urged to engage in physical activity and lower cholesterol intake. Additionally, affected children may receive lifestyle and dietary recommendations to help them prevent heart disease in the future.
In the study, cholesterol was found to be associated with four different metrics of heart attack severity, including the number of affected vessels, the pumping function of the organ, and inflammatory proteins that indicate damage.
According to the researchers, high cholesterol increased risk by 38%. Dr. Cacciatore said that if it were higher, the child’s heart attack later in life would be worse.
High cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis.
A second analysis of all participants established that mothers who showed high cholesterol during pregnancy were also at risk of atherosclerosis. However, Dr. Caccitore said this was after adjusting for sex, age, and cardiovascular risk factors. Atherosclerosis, commonly known as the hardening of arteries, can lead to stroke or heart attack by cutting the blood supply to the brain or heart.
