Current Challenges in Maternal Cardiology

Heart disease has been identified as the leading cause of maternal death in the UK for over two decades, highlighting a critical need for improved care for women with cardiovascular issues. Despite guidelines suggesting that women of reproductive age attending cardiology clinics should receive preconception counseling, many women report having these conversations only after becoming pregnant. The study emphasizes the gap in counseling practices, revealing that only about 10% of eligible women received documented discussions regarding pregnancy risks. The experiences of women frequently indicate a lack of awareness among healthcare professionals about the cardiovascular implications related to pregnancy.