Skip to main content
SMFM 2025 Pregnancy Meeting Main banner
Final Program


Program Book
Icon Legend
Presentation Icons
Additional registration fee required
Additional registration fee required
CME Credit Offered
CME Credit Offered
Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Poster Icons
Additional registration fee required
Additional registration fee required
Faculty have requested this content not be shared on social media
Faculty have requested this content not be shared on social media
CME Credit Offered
CME Credit Offered
Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Back

Oral Concurrent Session 9 - Medical Complications

Oral Concurrent Sessions

Oral Concurrent Session 9 - Medical Complications

(99) Impact of breastfeeding on estimated risk of postpartum cardiovascular disease

Saturday, February 1, 2025
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM  
Location: Aurora Ballroom CD, Lobby Level
Objective: To determine whether breastfeeding is associated with the estimated risk of long-term atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) as assessed 10-14 years after delivery.

Study Design: This is a secondary analysis of the prospective Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome Follow-up Study (HAPO FUS). The exposure was any breastfeeding (yes/no). The primary outcomes were estimated ASCVD risk (composite of fatal and non-fatal coronary heart disease and stroke) over the subsequent 10- and 30-year time periods measured separately. The Framingham Risk Score was used to calculate ASCVD risk 10-14 years after delivery. ASCVD risk was calculated as a continuous percentage. Multivariable linear regression models were used and adjusted for baseline covariates: field center, age, BMI, height, smoking and alcohol use, parity, and time from delivery to ASCVD risk assessment. Secondarily, we examined whether the association between breastfeeding and ASCVD varied by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) status (effect modification).

Results: Of 4,540 assessed individuals, the median age was 30.6 years at baseline. Over three-fourths (79.7%) of individuals reported breastfeeding in this multi-site international cohort, which did not vary by GDM status (79.5% vs 81.0%). At 10-14 years after delivery (median 11.6 years), individuals who had breastfed had a lower estimated risk of ASCVD over the subsequent 10 years (adj. Beta: -0.13; 95% CI: -0.25, -0.02) as well as over the subsequent 30 years (adj. Beta: -0.36; 95% CI: -0.66, -0.05). The association between breastfeeding and estimated ASCVD risk varied significantly by GDM status (interaction p< 0.01): the protective effect of breastfeeding for estimated ASCVD risk was over 5-fold greater for individuals with GDM (TABLE).

Conclusion: Individuals who breastfed – and particularly those with prior GDM – had a lower estimated risk of long-term ASCVD. These findings suggest the beneficial impact of breastfeeding for long-term maternal cardiovascular health, especially among those with GDM.