Maternal Mental Health Crucial for Cardiovascular Wellness, New Study Finds
TL;DR
Routine psychological health screening during pregnancy and postpartum can reduce adverse outcomes, giving healthcare professionals an advantage.
New scientific statement emphasizes the importance of psychological health screening and treatment to improve maternal cardiovascular health outcomes.
By integrating psychological health care into perinatal period, we can reduce maternal mortality rates and disparities, making tomorrow better for everyone.
Psychological health screening in pregnancy and postpartum is crucial to improving long-term maternal health outcomes and reducing cardiovascular risks.
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The American Heart Association released a groundbreaking scientific statement revealing the profound connection between maternal psychological health and cardiovascular wellness. The statement underscores the importance of routine mental health screening for pregnant and postpartum women to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes and improve long-term maternal health.
Dr. Garima Sharma, the statement's writing group chair, emphasized that maternal cardiovascular health must include psychological health, noting robust evidence linking mental health conditions to cardiovascular risks. An estimated 52% of women of reproductive age report a history of psychological health conditions, with 40% of women from underrepresented races and ethnicities experiencing anxiety or depression during the perinatal period.
The United States currently experiences maternal mortality rates two to three times higher than other high-income countries, with significant racial disparities. Non-Hispanic Black birthing women face mortality rates 2.6 times higher than non-Hispanic white women, making comprehensive psychological screening even more critical.
Key recommendations include integrating psychological health screening into prenatal and postpartum care, using tools like the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to identify depression and anxiety symptoms. Healthcare professionals are urged to consider both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, with a preference for counseling, cognitive behavioral therapies, and stress management strategies.
The statement also highlights significant barriers to implementing comprehensive mental health care, including stigma, clinician time constraints, and workforce limitations. Researchers call for expanded research focusing on underrepresented populations and a more holistic approach to maternal healthcare that recognizes the intricate connection between mental and cardiovascular health.
Curated from NewMediaWire
