Abortion and Cardiovascular Diseases

A variety of health risks are associated with pregnancy loss defined as abortion or miscarriage. They include but are not limited to breast cancer, premature birth, problems conceiving, and mental health issues. It appears this may also include increased risk with abortion and cardiovascular diseases. 

A new study, published in the International Journal of Cardiology Cardiovascular Risk and Prevention demonstrates that abortion is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) which is the leading cause of death in women. 

The goal of the research team was to study the impact of pregnancy loss on CVD during the first six months following their first live birth.  

Researchers analyzed the medical records of over one million Medicaid-eligible women, examining cases between 1999 and 2014. They looked for histories of diabetes, high cholesterol, pregnancy loss, and CVD prior to their first live birth.  

The women were then divided into five different groups: 

• Women with no pregnancy loss or CVD before first live birth 
• Women with pregnancy loss and no CVD prior to first live birth. 
• Women with a first CVD diagnosis after a first pregnancy ending in a loss and before their first live birth. 
• Women with CVD prior to first live birth and no history of pregnancy loss. 
• Women with both CVD and pregnancy loss prior to their first live birth. 

In every case, women who experienced pregnancy loss had a greater chance of suffering CVD after the first live birth of a child compared with those who had no pregnancy loss. 

Women who had a history of CVD before their first pregnancy were more than twice as likely to experienced additional CVD issues if they suffered a pregnancy loss.  

Women who were diagnosed with CVD after a pregnancy loss, but before their first live birth, experienced a 174% increased risk of additional diagnose of CVD. 

Their findings are similar to other existing studies measuring the cardiovascular risk after pregnancy loss.  

David Reardon, Ph.D., one of the authors of this study noted that the American Heart Association has warned women about the increased risk of heart disease after miscarriage, so he is hopeful they will also warn women about the dangers of abortion to their heart health.  

Abortion advocates tell women the deaths of their babies will benefit them mentally, financially, and physically. However, the evidence is mounting that abortion is a clear detriment to their health and wellbeing. 

Will feminists follow the science behind abortion’s impact on women’s health? Or will it be more important to advocate an extreme political agenda of abortion on demand throughout pregnancy? 

One day Americans will see if they stood on the right side of history. 

Defending women’s health,  

Brad Mattes,

President, Life Issues Institute