Gestational Diabetes Linked to Heart Disease

Women with gestational diabetes are at higher risk for heart disease, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Researchers assessed 89,479 eligible participants from the Nurses’ Health Study II study and tracked pregnancy rates, lifestyle factors, and heat disease incidences. Those who had developed GD increased their risk of a cardiovascular disease (CVD) event, such as myocardial infarction or stroke, by 43 percent compared with those who had not developed GD during pregnancy. Women previously diagnosed with GD who followed a healthful diet and engaged in physical activity mitigated their risk for CVD later in life.