Pregnancy complications and later-life maternal cardiovascular health: mechanistic insights from animal models

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally in both men and women. Sex differences exist in the onset, progression, and outcomes of CVD with sex-specific factors such as pregnancy-related conditions likely contributing to these disparities. Preeclampsia (PE) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are two of the most common medical complications of pregnancy, affecting approximately 3-5% and 5-18%, respectively. Women with a history of PE or GDM are at a higher risk of developing CVD later in life. Still, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. This review presents an overview of the mechanisms underlying the development of PE and GDM, and discusses pathophysiological pathways revealed through animal models that could contribute to long-term maternal cardiovascular dysfunction.