Hypertension or diabetes before pregnancy linked to higher risk of fetal heart defects

Women with chronic hypertension (high blood pressure before pregnancy or diagnosed before 20 weeks of pregnancy) had a 30% higher risk of having a baby with critical congenital heart disease, the most severe form of heart defects, when compared to women with normal blood pressure before and during pregnancy, according to new independent, preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026, held Nov. 6–9 in Chicago.

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