A study conducted by Rutgers Health experts analyzed more than 31 million hospital records and found that patients who underwent infertility treatment were twice as likely as those who conceived naturally to be hospitalized with heart disease in the year following delivery. The study also revealed that infertility treatment patients were 2.16 times more likely to be hospitalized for dangerously high blood pressure or hypertension compared to those who conceived naturally. This highlights the importance of postpartum checkups, especially for patients who underwent infertility treatment. The study suggests that these patients may require additional monitoring and care in the postpartum period to mitigate the increased risk of heart disease.
The study authors emphasize the need for early follow-up care for patients who undergo infertility treatment to achieve conception. Current standards of care recommend an initial postpartum checkup three weeks after delivery, but some health systems have yet to adopt this practice. The elevated risk of heart disease for infertility treatment patients was particularly high in the first month after delivery, especially for those who developed dangerously high blood pressure. The study’s findings support the idea that early follow-up care is essential for mitigating the risks of heart disease and stroke in high-risk patient populations in the immediate postpartum period.
The researchers utilized the Nationwide Readmissions Database, which contains data on approximately 31 million hospital discharges and readmissions each year. They examined data from over 31 million patients who were discharged following delivery between 2010 and 2018, including 287,813 patients who had undergone infertility treatment. While infertility treatment was associated with a significantly higher risk of heart disease, the overall risk for infertility treatment patients was relatively low due to their young age. The study found that 550 out of every 100,000 women who received infertility treatment and 355 out of every 100,000 who conceived naturally were hospitalized with cardiovascular disease in the year after delivery.
The cause of the increased risk of heart disease in patients who underwent infertility treatment is not fully understood. It is unclear whether the infertility treatments themselves, underlying medical conditions that caused infertility, or other factors are responsible for the elevated risk. Further research is needed to investigate whether different types of infertility treatments or medications are associated with varying levels of risk. More detailed information about the specific treatments patients received could provide valuable insights into how infertility treatment impacts cardiovascular outcomes. Continued research in this area could help improve the monitoring and management of cardiovascular health in patients who undergo infertility treatment to conceive.
Overall, the study underscores the importance of postpartum care for patients who have undergone infertility treatment. Early follow-up care in the postpartum period can help identify and address potential cardiovascular risks, such as high blood pressure and heart disease, in these patients. By ensuring that patients receive appropriate monitoring and treatment after delivery, healthcare providers can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications and improve the long-term health outcomes of infertility treatment patients.