The study introduces a novel method of acknowledging the important connection between a pregnant woman’s peri- and post-natal mental health and cardiac health. Doctors in the past have most frequently taken into account body functions like blood pressure and cholesterol when measuring a woman’s cardiovascular health. But increasing evidence suggests potential effects on the operation of the woman’s heart during pregnancy—actually, all along after that—by psychological mechanisms like depression, anxiety, and chronic stress exposure during the time period referred to as the perinatal period, or pregnancy through one year after giving birth.
The declaration emphasizes that mental illness is increasingly recognized as a significant aspect of maternal cardiovascular health. For instance, research has indicated that pregnant women suffering from depression or anxiety are more likely to develop hypertension, complications such as preeclampsia, and even cardiovascular disease in their older age. This acknowledgment compels medical practitioners to look beyond a narrow view when evaluating a patient’s overall health.
The article also addresses how social determinants like economic disadvantage, institutionalized discrimination, intimate partner violence, and lack of support from families or partners influence the deterioration of both mental and cardiovascular health. It points out that maternal death in the United States has increased, particularly in historically disadvantaged communities, with the majority of the deaths being avoidable if the mental health complications were identified and addressed appropriately. In order to counteract these issues, this paper proposes more intensive and more regular assessment of mental health disorders prior to and subsequent to pregnancy. It proposes the addition of behavioral interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy, stress management, and other non-pharmacologic interventions into routine healthcare procedures, thus enabling the concurrent treatment of physical and mental health. In addition, this integrated strategy calls for greater training and greater coordination among obstetricians, cardiologists, mental health experts, and community-based support networks.
The document delineates multiple challenges to achieving integrated care, including stigma, insufficient resources, and inconsistent access to professional assistance. It posits that the resolution of these issues necessitates the development of innovative care models alongside supportive policies.
