Overview

• The meta-analysis reviewed data from more than 9.7 million women across Europe, North America and Asia with follow-up periods of up to 31 years.
• Women who experienced severe bleeding after childbirth faced a 1.76-fold higher risk of cardiovascular disease and a 2.10-fold increase in thromboembolic incidents.
• The likelihood of heart failure, stroke and ischemic heart disease was especially high in the first year after delivery but remained elevated for up to 15 years.
• Bleeding severity, particularly in cases requiring blood transfusions, correlated with greater long-term cardiovascular complications.
• Authors call for expanded postpartum care that includes long-term heart monitoring and further research to understand mechanisms and improve prevention.