According to Gram Research analysis, pregnant women with better cardiovascular health in early pregnancy have significantly lower risks of serious complications. A 2026 study of 5,168 pregnant women found that for every 10-point increase in a heart health score, women had 50% lower risk of pregnancy-related high blood pressure, 38% lower risk of gestational diabetes, and 24% lower risk of premature birth. The research shows that managing blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, diet, and exercise during pregnancy can substantially reduce dangerous pregnancy complications.
A major study of over 5,000 pregnant women found that mothers with better cardiovascular health in early pregnancy had significantly lower risks of dangerous complications. Researchers used a new scoring system called Life’s Essential 8 to measure heart health based on factors like blood pressure, blood sugar, diet, exercise, and weight. Women with the highest heart health scores were 50% less likely to develop pregnancy-related high blood pressure and had lower risks of gestational diabetes, premature birth, and needing cesarean delivery. This research suggests that taking care of your heart before and during pregnancy could prevent serious health problems for both mother and baby.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cohort study of 5,168 pregnant women found that each 10-point increase in cardiovascular health score was associated with a 50% lower risk of pregnancy-related high blood pressure and a 38% lower risk of gestational diabetes.
According to research reviewed by Gram, pregnant women with better heart health scores had 24% lower risk of premature birth and 23% lower risk of needing cesarean delivery compared to those with lower cardiovascular health scores.
A 2026 study comparing two heart health measurement systems found that the newer Life’s Essential 8 system was more effective than the older Life’s Simple 7 system at predicting gestational diabetes, with prediction accuracy of 62.6% versus 61.5%.
Research shows that the overall cardiovascular health score for pregnant women in the study averaged 81.4 points out of 100, with women scoring higher having substantially lower risks across six major pregnancy complications.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether pregnant women with better heart health (measured by a new scoring system) have fewer serious pregnancy complications like high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and premature birth.
- Who participated: 5,168 pregnant women from China who were followed from early pregnancy (weeks 6-13) until they gave birth. Researchers measured their heart health using factors like blood pressure, blood sugar, diet, exercise, and weight.
- Key finding: For every 10-point increase in the heart health score, pregnant women had about 15% lower risk of miscarriage, 50% lower risk of pregnancy-related high blood pressure, 38% lower risk of gestational diabetes, and 24% lower risk of premature birth.
- What it means for you: Taking care of your cardiovascular health before and during pregnancy—through exercise, healthy eating, managing weight, and controlling blood pressure—may significantly reduce your risk of serious pregnancy complications. However, this study shows associations, not that heart health directly causes better outcomes, and individual results vary.
The Research Details
Researchers recruited pregnant women early in their pregnancy (between 6 and 13 weeks) from a large birth study in China and followed them until delivery. At the beginning of the study, they measured each woman’s heart health using eight key factors: body mass index (weight relative to height), smoking exposure, physical activity, diet quality, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels. These measurements were scored using a new system called Life’s Essential 8, which replaced an older system called Life’s Simple 7.
The researchers then tracked what happened during each woman’s pregnancy and recorded any serious complications, including miscarriage, pregnancy-related high blood pressure, gestational diabetes (high blood sugar during pregnancy), premature birth, babies that were too large for their age, and whether the woman needed a cesarean delivery. They used statistical methods to determine whether women with better heart health scores had fewer of these complications, while accounting for other factors that might affect pregnancy outcomes.
The new Life’s Essential 8 scoring system was compared to the older Life’s Simple 7 system to see which one better predicted pregnancy problems. This comparison helps doctors understand if the updated heart health measurement is more useful for pregnant women.
Pregnancy puts extra stress on a woman’s heart and blood vessels, so understanding how cardiovascular health affects pregnancy outcomes is important for preventing serious complications. The American Heart Association recently updated their definition of heart health, but doctors didn’t know if this new system would be useful for pregnant women. This study fills that gap by showing that the new system can help identify which pregnant women are at higher risk for complications, potentially allowing doctors to provide better care and prevention strategies.
This study is a cohort study, which is a strong research design where researchers follow real people over time and track what happens to them. The large sample size of over 5,000 women makes the results more reliable. The study carefully measured multiple heart health factors and adjusted for other conditions that could affect pregnancy outcomes. However, the study was conducted in China, so results may not apply equally to all populations. The study shows associations between heart health and outcomes, but cannot prove that improving heart health directly causes better pregnancy outcomes.
What the Results Show
The study found that pregnant women with better cardiovascular health scores had significantly lower risks of multiple serious pregnancy complications. For every 10-point increase in the heart health score (on a scale where the average was about 81 points), women had a 15% lower risk of miscarriage, a 50% lower risk of pregnancy-related high blood pressure, a 38% lower risk of gestational diabetes, a 24% lower risk of premature birth, a 19% lower risk of having a baby that was too large, and a 23% lower risk of needing a cesarean delivery.
These findings were consistent even after researchers accounted for other factors that might affect pregnancy outcomes, such as age, education level, and income. The protective effect of good heart health was strongest for pregnancy-related high blood pressure and gestational diabetes, suggesting that cardiovascular health is particularly important for preventing these two complications.
When researchers compared the new Life’s Essential 8 scoring system to the older Life’s Simple 7 system, the new system was slightly better at predicting which women would develop pregnancy complications. However, both systems had only modest ability to predict outcomes on their own, meaning that heart health score is one important factor among many that influence pregnancy health.
The study found that the new Life’s Essential 8 system outperformed the older Life’s Simple 7 system in predicting four specific complications: pregnancy loss, gestational diabetes, large babies, and cesarean delivery. The differences were small but statistically significant, suggesting that the updated system captures important aspects of cardiovascular health that the older system missed. The study also showed that the relationship between heart health and pregnancy outcomes was consistent across different groups of women, indicating that the findings apply broadly rather than just to specific populations.
Previous research has shown that cardiovascular health is important during pregnancy, but most studies focused on individual factors like blood pressure or weight rather than overall heart health. This study is among the first to examine how the American Heart Association’s new comprehensive definition of cardiovascular health (Life’s Essential 8) relates to pregnancy outcomes. The findings support and expand on previous research showing that managing blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight during pregnancy reduces complications. The study also validates that the new Life’s Essential 8 system is relevant for pregnant women, not just the general population.
The study was conducted in China, so the results may not apply equally to women in other countries with different genetics, healthcare systems, and lifestyles. The study shows associations between heart health and pregnancy outcomes, but cannot prove that improving heart health directly causes better outcomes—other unmeasured factors could explain the relationship. The ability of the heart health score to predict pregnancy complications was modest, meaning that while it’s useful, it’s not a perfect predictor. The study measured heart health only once at the beginning of pregnancy, so it doesn’t show how changes in heart health during pregnancy might affect outcomes. Finally, women who participated in the study may have been healthier or more health-conscious than the general population, which could affect how well the findings apply to everyone.
The Bottom Line
Before and during pregnancy, focus on maintaining good cardiovascular health through regular physical activity, eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, managing blood pressure, controlling blood sugar, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol. These steps are supported by strong evidence and are recommended by major health organizations. If you have high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or other cardiovascular risk factors, work with your doctor to manage them before becoming pregnant if possible. Regular prenatal care and monitoring are essential for all pregnant women. Confidence level: Moderate to High—the study shows strong associations, though individual results vary.
All women planning pregnancy or currently pregnant should care about cardiovascular health, as this study shows it affects pregnancy outcomes. Women with existing cardiovascular risk factors (high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or family history of heart disease) should pay special attention to heart health before and during pregnancy. Healthcare providers should consider assessing cardiovascular health in early pregnancy to identify women at higher risk for complications. However, this study does not suggest that women with lower heart health scores should avoid pregnancy—rather, it highlights the importance of managing modifiable risk factors.
Cardiovascular health improvements can begin immediately, but the most significant benefits for pregnancy outcomes occur when women improve their heart health before becoming pregnant or very early in pregnancy. Some changes like blood pressure control can show benefits within weeks, while others like weight loss and improved fitness take several months. For the best outcomes, women should aim to optimize cardiovascular health at least 3-6 months before attempting pregnancy if possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can improving my heart health during pregnancy reduce my risk of gestational diabetes?
Yes. A 2026 study of 5,168 pregnant women found that each 10-point improvement in cardiovascular health score reduced gestational diabetes risk by 38%. Managing blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and diet are key factors.
What specific things can I do to improve my cardiovascular health while pregnant?
Focus on 150 minutes of moderate weekly exercise, eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and whole grains, maintain a healthy weight, monitor and manage blood pressure, avoid smoking and alcohol, and manage stress. Work with your healthcare provider on specific targets.
Is it too late to improve my heart health if I’m already pregnant?
No. The study measured heart health in early pregnancy (weeks 6-13), showing that improvements at any point during pregnancy can reduce complications. Even small improvements in diet, exercise, and stress management provide benefits.
How does cardiovascular health affect the risk of premature birth?
A 2026 study found that each 10-point increase in heart health score reduced premature birth risk by 24%. Better cardiovascular health appears to support healthier placental function and reduce pregnancy stress.
Should I get my cardiovascular health assessed before trying to get pregnant?
Yes. Assessing and optimizing cardiovascular health 3-6 months before pregnancy provides the greatest benefits. This allows time to manage blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and fitness before pregnancy begins.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your Life’s Essential 8 cardiovascular health score monthly during pregnancy by logging: blood pressure readings, fasting blood sugar levels, physical activity minutes per week, diet quality (servings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains), body weight, nicotine exposure (yes/no), and cholesterol levels (if available). Calculate a simple score out of 100 based on how many factors are in the healthy range.
- Set a specific weekly goal for physical activity (150 minutes of moderate exercise), plan and log three healthy meals per day focusing on whole foods, and schedule weekly blood pressure checks if you have hypertension. Use the app to send reminders for these activities and celebrate weekly milestones to maintain motivation.
- Create a dashboard showing your cardiovascular health trend over the pregnancy trimesters. Set alerts if blood pressure or blood sugar readings fall outside healthy ranges to prompt conversations with your healthcare provider. Track which specific behaviors (exercise, diet, stress management) correlate with your best health scores to identify your personal success factors.
This article summarizes research findings and should not replace professional medical advice. Pregnant women should consult with their healthcare provider before making changes to diet, exercise, or medications. The study shows associations between cardiovascular health and pregnancy outcomes but does not prove causation. Individual results vary based on genetics, overall health status, and other factors. Women with existing cardiovascular conditions or pregnancy complications require personalized medical care from qualified healthcare professionals. This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a licensed healthcare provider.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.