New Delhi: A new global study reveals that women who experience severe postpartum bleeding—known as postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)—face significantly higher risks of heart-related health issues for up to 15 years after giving birth. Until now, PPH was viewed primarily as a short-term emergency. But this research, published in The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, shows that the impact can be long-lasting and serious.
The study analyzed data from over 9.7 million women across six countries—including the UK, the US, Canada, South Korea, France, and Sweden—using findings from ten studies conducted between 1986 and 2018. The results showed that women with severe postpartum bleeding had a 1.76-fold increase in the risk of developing heart problems. They were also 2.1 times more likely to experience blood clots (thromboembolic events). These risks were highest in the first year after delivery but remained significantly elevated for up to 15 years.
The researchers noted that the risk for women who also had complications during pregnancy—such as preeclampsia, which is characterized by high blood pressure—was even higher.
Before this study, postpartum hemorrhage was a known leading cause of maternal death, accounting for nearly 20% of such cases worldwide. Around 14 million women suffer from PPH each year; however, the long-term effects on heart health had not been fully understood.
Dr. Manggala Pasca Wardhana, the study's lead author from Airlangga University in Indonesia, said:
“PPH is usually treated as an emergency that ends once the bleeding is controlled. But our study shows it could have long-term impacts on a woman’s heart health. Maternal care needs to continue even after childbirth.”
Co-researcher Dr. Fiqih Faizara Ustadi emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance:
“We need more research to understand why this happens and how we can reduce these risks. But for now, we know that paying closer attention to women after childbirth can save lives later.”
Based on these findings, doctors recommend that women who experience PPH should receive routine cardiovascular checkups as part of their postpartum care. These check-ups are cost-effective and could allow for early detection and prevention of serious heart conditions.
One limitation of the study is that most data came from high-income countries, meaning more research is needed to understand how PPH affects women in low- and middle-income regions—where limited medical resources may worsen long-term outcomes.
In summary, this study identifies severe postpartum bleeding as not just a short-term maternal risk but a significant predictor of long-term cardiovascular issues. It underscores the importance of extending maternal care well beyond childbirth and making long-term heart health monitoring a standard part of postpartum care.