Many Americans don't know long-term risks of heart disease and pregnancy

Laura Lima de Souza, speaking to her child: Yeah, can I give you tea?

[Text on screen: Laura Lima de Souza
Faced heart risks with pregnancy]

Laura Lima de Souza: It is hard, and I don't think people say it enough. 

Barb Consiglio: As a mom, Laura juggles a lot. 

Laura Lima de Souza: You have to take care of your kids, right, but putting yourself in as a priority is really important.

Lauren Hassen, MD, speaking to a patient: Everything going well?

Barb Consiglio: Prioritizing your heart health is something Dr. Lauren Hassen at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center says many pregnant women do not do.

[Text on screen: Lauren Hassen, MD
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center]

Dr. Hassen: If they're having any symptoms that they feel are concerning or outside the realm of what would be normal for them, they should always let their provider know.

Barb Consiglio: Outside the norm is key. 

[Text on screen:
Source: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Symptoms believed to be normal during and after pregnancy:
Fatigue 73%
Nausea 65%] 

Barb Consiglio: A new survey from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center shows most Americans believe that symptoms like fatigue and nausea are not cause for concern during and after pregnancy. But they *could* be signs of deadly heart issues.

Dr. Hassen, speaking to a patient: I'm just going to take a listen to your heart. You can just breathe normally.

Dr. Hassen: We need to make sure that we treat that now so that it reduces their risk for something like a heart attack or stroke later in life.

Barb Consiglio: Laura has a genetic condition that can affect her heart, which made her pregnancy high risk. But other factors like diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, or conceiving past age 35 can also be dangerous. 

Dr. Hassen: We've got to keep them healthy now by taking care of any issues that might be small now but could become larger and more severe in the future.

Barb Consiglio: Allowing moms to be there for their little ones' biggest moments. 

Laura Lima de Souza, speaking to her child: Oh thank you, that's really kind.

Barb Consiglio: At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, I’m Barb Consiglio.