An American study published in Stroke, a Journal of the American Heart Association, has found that the rate of hospitalisations from stroke during pregnancy has risen by 47% between 1995 and 2007.
The rate for those hospitalised in the 12 weeks after birth also increased by 83%. However, the overall risk of stroke in pregnant women remains small. The researchers explained that the increases could be because of the rise in additional stroke risk factors such as obesity and diabetes, or because more women are having multiple births because of IVF. Commenting on the study, Dr Sharlin Ahmed, research liaison officer for The Stroke Association said: “Pregnancy is a known risk factor for stroke, particularly in the later stages and in the first six weeks following birth. Increased blood pressure, a major cause of stroke, is not uncommon in pregnant women and there is also a higher risk of blood clots due to more blood travelling through the body. “We are concerned that this study has found such a sharp increase in pregnancy related stroke over the past few years. It is important for woman wanting to start a family to understand the risks associated with pregnancy and take steps to make sure they are as healthy as possible before they become pregnant.”
