New Delhi: Pregnancy is commonly regarded as a life-changing experience, both physically and mentally. Although parents often comprehend that the health of a mother during pregnancy influences birth weights and immunity, fewer are aware that it can also influence something as long-term and vital as the heart health of the child. New evidence has identified a strong correlation: A woman’s health, her blood pressure, diet, and lifestyle when she is pregnant predetermine her child’s cardiovascular health years later in life.
In a country like India, where even the youth populations have increasing heart disease, this finding deserves to be taken seriously. With gestational hypertension, diabetes, anaemia, and micronutrient deficiencies being rampant among Indian women, prioritising maternal health becomes an issue of more than just maternal health — it becomes a national health priority.
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr. Aravind Badiger, Technical Director, BDR Pharmaceuticals, explained how wellness in pregnancy can affect a child’s heart health.
How Maternal Health Affects the Baby’s Heart
A baby’s blood vessels and heart start developing during the first few weeks of pregnancy. If a mother experiences complications such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, or poor nutrition, this may influence the way these systems develop. The baby’s developing organs, the heart and kidneys in particular, are highly sensitive to changes in the intrauterine environment. This can result in structural and functional alterations that predispose the child to high blood pressure, metabolic disturbances, and even heart disease in adulthood.
This hypothesis, referred to as “fetal programming,” is also buttressed by increasing evidence. Evidence suggests that offspring of women with gestational hypertension are more likely to develop high blood pressure in early childhood. This, over a while, can boost hypertension, heart disease, and stroke risk in adults.
Risks Common in the Indian Context
In India, various cultural and environmental determinants place pregnant women at risk. Sedentary lifestyle, unavailability of prenatal care in rural settings, excessive consumption of salt and processed foods, and delayed diagnosis of conditions such as gestational diabetes are the reasons for maternal health complications. Moreover, societal myths regarding eating for two usually result in overeating or nutrient-poor diets, exacerbating maternal weight gain and blood pressure management.
Simple but Effective Measures towards a Healthier Pregnancy
The good news is that harm to mother and baby can be significantly reduced with awareness and timely intervention. Some evidence-based measures expecting Indian women can undertake are given below:
- Regular Prenatal Monitoring: Routine antenatal surveillance helps in the early detection of gestational diabetes, anaemia, or gestational hypertension. Prenatal care through government programs such as PMMVY and Janani Suraksha Yojana is available, but awareness and utilization remain low.
- Local, Balanced Diets: Fresh vegetables, greens, whole grains, pulses, and low-fat dairy food should be consumed to maintain a reasonable blood pressure level, along with essential nutrients. Indian superfoods, such as ragi, amla, spinach, and daal, can work miracles for ailing mothers, and that too free of cost.
- Physical Activity & Stress Reduction: Slight exercise, such as walking or supervised prenatal yoga, can maintain weight and reduce tension, both contributing factors to blood pressure and fetal development. Psychological well-being should not be ignored during pregnancy.
- Medical Management When Necessary: Do not withhold prescribed drugs if found to have hypertension or other complications. Current use of antihypertensives and diabetic drugs is safe and necessary to protect the mother and baby under close observation.
In India, various cultural and environmental determinants place pregnant women at risk. Sedentary lifestyle, unavailability of prenatal care in rural settings, excessive consumption of salt and processed foods, and delayed diagnosis of conditions such as gestational diabetes are the reasons for maternal health complications. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
