A new study from Northwestern University in the United States has found that the risk of cardiovascular disease may be inherited through a combination of biological, environmental, and behavioural factors. The researchers emphasised that prevention remains possible through a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and avoiding smoking.
The study highlights that pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth may increase the likelihood of heart and vascular problems in children later in life, even more than two decades after birth.
Researchers followed around 1,350 mothers and their children from birth between 1998 and 2000 until they reached the age of 22. The long-term analysis provided insight into how early-life and prenatal conditions can influence cardiovascular health in adulthood.
Findings showed that children born to mothers who experienced high blood pressure during pregnancy were more likely to develop hypertension, elevated blood sugar levels, and increased arterial wall thickness—early indicators linked to a higher risk of future heart disease.
The study also found that gestational diabetes was associated with higher blood pressure and thicker arterial walls in offspring, while preterm birth was linked to elevated blood sugar levels later in life.
