WOMEN’S HEART HEALTH: START PREVENTION FROM ADOLESCENCE A landmark scientific statement published on 26 October 2026 brings together four major medical organizations: - American Heart Association (AHA) - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) - Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) The new framework emphasizes that cardiovascular risk in women is influenced by hormonal, reproductive and psychosocial health throughout life. professional.heart.org 2 KEY EVIDENCE-BASED MESSAGES 1. Menstrual history is a cardiovascular health indicator - Document menstrual cycle regularity, duration and bleeding pattern. - Investigate irregular menstruation, amenorrhoea and features of PCOS. - In women with PCOS, assess BMI, blood pressure, lipid profile and HbA1c. - Heavy menstrual bleeding warrants assessment for iron deficiency, even without anaemia. professional.heart.org 2. Pregnancy complications predict future cardiovascular risk A history of the following should trigger long-term cardiovascular risk assessment: - Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) - Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia - Preterm delivery - Small-for-gestational-age baby Postpartum care should include transition to ongoing cardiovascular and metabolic follow-up rather than ending after the routine postnatal visit. professional.heart.org FEMALE LIFE-STAGE FRAMEWORK The new framework identifies four stages: 1. Perimenarche: Around the onset of menstruation. 2. Reproductive years: Ovarian cycling and menstrual health. 3. Perimenopause: Menopausal transition and changing cardiovascular risk. 4. Postmenopause: Long-term cardiovascular prevention. KEY TAKE-HOME MESSAGE A WOMAN’S MENSTRUAL AND PREGNANCY HISTORY IS MORE THAN REPRODUCTIVE HISTORY — IT CAN REVEAL HER FUTURE CARDIOVASCULAR RISK. For clinical practice in India, integrate these principles with existing national cardiovascular, obstetric and diabetes screening protocols. REFERENCES 1. Khan SS et al. Consensus Guidance for the Female-Specific Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease. Circulation. Published online October 26, 2026. PubMed 2. AHA/AAP/ACOG/SMFM. A Female-Specific Life Course Approach to the Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease. 2026. #SunleafHospital #SunleafWomensCare #WomensHeartHealth #CardiovascularHealth #PCOS #PregnancyComplications #Preeclampsia #GestationalDiabetes #PostpartumCare #PreventiveCardiology #WomensHealth #EvidenceBasedMedicine #Surat #Varachha #NanaVarachha #MotaVarachha #Sarthana #Pasodara #Godadara #Dindoli #Vesu #Kamrej #Amroli #Ankleshwar #DrMukeshDobariya #DrKrishnaJiyani