Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome - Ovia Health https://www.oviahealth.com/blog/fertility-cycle-tracker/ovia-pp-ckm/ Digital health personalized for every family journey Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:22:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 Taking care of your health after gestational diabetes https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/320116/taking-care-of-your-health-after-gestational-diabetes-2/ Wed, 06 Nov 2024 16:14:07 +0000 https://www.oviahealth.com/?post_type=article&p=320116 For most people, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) goes away a few weeks after giving birth. During your postpartum healthcare visits, your provider will have you take a test to check if your blood sugar has returned to normal. 

For some people, gestational diabetes doesn’t go away after pregnancy. This means that you have diabetes. If tests show that you still have diabetes, your provider will work with you to develop a care plan.

What gestational diabetes means for your health 

If you’ve had gestational diabetes, your risks are higher for some health issues:

  • You are much more likely to have gestational diabetes in future pregnancies.
  • You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later, especially in the five years after pregnancy.
  • You are more likely to have higher cholesterol and triglycerides, which are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

Of course, each person has their own unique set of health risks. Black, Hispanic, and Asian people have higher risks for diabetes and heart disease than other groups, and family history and lifestyle also play a big role. Your healthcare provider can help you understand your risks and how to lower them.

The good news

There’s a lot you can do to reduce your risks for type 2 diabetes and heart disease

When you know your health risks, it means you can make changes to prevent health issues in the future — and feel your best now. Even small changes can make a big difference.

Here are some of the most powerful ways to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease:

  • Stick to a healthy body weight. If you’re overweight, losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. If you are having trouble losing weight, speak to your doctor.
  • Enjoy healthy foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Choose foods that are lower in sugar and simple carbohydrates. Limit sodas, sweet tea, fruit juice, and other sugary drinks.
  • Get regular exercise. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity at least five days a week.
  • See your primary care provider for regular checkups. Your provider will test for diabetes with an A1C test (which shows your blood sugar levels over the previous three months) and check your cholesterol and triglycerides. Visits are also a good time to talk about any other health concerns.


Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Sources

]]> Some pregnancy complications are linked to higher heart disease risk later—here’s how to protect your heart https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/315321/some-pregnancy-complications-are-linked-to-higher-heart-disease-risk-later-heres-how-to-protect-your-heart/ Wed, 16 Oct 2024 15:40:51 +0000 https://www.oviahealth.com/?post_type=article&p=315321 We all know how important it is to get care for health issues during your pregnancy. But did you know that some pregnancy complications also signal health risks later in life?

Specifically, these six common pregnancy complications are associated with a higher risk for future heart disease:

  • High blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy
  • Gestational diabetes (a kind of diabetes that some get when their bodies can’t make enough insulin or use insulin the right way)
  • Preterm delivery (before 37 weeks)
  • Delivering a baby that is small for gestational age (SGA)
  • Pregnancy loss
  • Placental abruption (the placenta detaches from the uterus before birth)

Research indicates that Black, Asian, and Hispanic women are more likely to experience pregnancy complications that increase heart disease risk.

Knowing your risks is powerful

Once you know that your pregnancy complications are also insights into your future health risks, you can take steps now—including getting screenings and making lifestyle changes—to help you stay healthy in the years to come. 

How to lower your heart disease risks

If you experienced any of the six pregnancy complications that may signal heart health risks, here are steps you can take to protect your heart:

  • Make time for your postpartum care. Talk with your OB/GYN or midwife about your risks, and discuss which screening tests are right for you.
  • Share your pregnancy health history with your primary care provider. As you transition from your OB/GYN to your primary care provider for regular wellness checks, make sure to talk about your pregnancy complications. Then, make a plan together to monitor your health and reduce your risks in the years to come. This typically includes screening for high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
  • If you had gestational diabetes, discuss with your provider if metformin is appropriate for you. Studies have shown that metformin decreases the risk of developing diabetes by about 35%
  • Breastfeed, if you can. Studies show that breastfeeding (lactating) may reduce the risk of metabolic disorders and heart disease later.
  • Make a few long-term lifestyle changes to nurture your heart. The AHA recommends a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy proteins, and very few processed foods; 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night; and at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity (or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity) spread throughout the week. 
  • If you smoke, discuss options with your provider to help you cut back or quit.


Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Sources:

]]> Taking medication to lower your heart disease risk https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/315267/taking-medication-to-lower-your-heart-disease-risk/ Wed, 16 Oct 2024 14:57:32 +0000 https://www.oviahealth.com/?post_type=article&p=315267 Postpartum care isn’t just about making sure you’ve recovered from giving birth. It’s also about making sure your overall health is good now and that you’re taking steps to stay healthy in the future. That’s where heart health comes in.

If you developed new health conditions during pregnancy, such as high blood pressure or gestational diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider about how your heart health risks have changed. 

It’s also a good time to check your cholesterol and blood pressure. If your numbers are high, or if you have other heart-health risk factors, your provider may suggest medication and lifestyle changes. 

When to consider medication for cholesterol

If you have risk factors for heart disease, your healthcare provider may recommend a medication to reduce the cholesterol and other fats in your blood. This is important because when fats build up in your blood vessels, they can cause blockages, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes. Statins are the main group of medications used to help reduce cholesterol.  

According to the American Heart Association’s guidelines, statins may be helpful if you have:

  • One or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease and a higher risk of heart attack in the next ten years. This includes people with diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and those who smoke. 
  • Cardiovascular disease, including people who’ve had heart attacks, strokes, ministrokes, or blocked arteries.
  • LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) of 190 or higher. 
  • Diabetes, especially for people between 40 and 75 who have LDL cholesterol between 70 and 189 and evidence of blood vessel disease or other risk factors, such as high blood pressure or smoking. 

If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, your healthcare may also prescribe medications to manage those conditions. Taking care of diabetes and high blood pressure is another important step toward lowering your risk for heart disease. 

Top questions to ask your healthcare provider

When you’re talking to your provider about heart health risks, here are a few questions you may want to ask:

  • What is my risk for heart disease, including heart attack and stroke?
  • What should I know about my cholesterol levels?
  • What do my blood pressure numbers mean?
  • Do you recommend any medications, such as a statin, to reduce my heart disease risks?
  • What are the benefits and side effects of medication?
  • Are there other things I can do to reduce my risks?


Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Sources:

]]> Keeping on top of your heart health postpartum https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/315299/keeping-on-top-of-your-heart-health-postpartum/ Wed, 16 Oct 2024 14:53:15 +0000 https://www.oviahealth.com/?post_type=article&p=315299 We all need to pay attention to our heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., and two of every three women have at least one major risk factor. 

People who’ve had complications during pregnancy, including hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm delivery, delivering a baby that’s small for gestational age, pregnancy loss, or placental abruption, have a higher risk of developing heart disease. People who’ve had preeclampsia, for example, are three-to-four times more likely to develop high blood pressure, and they have twice the risk of heart disease or stroke. Those who have experienced multiple pregnancy complications may have even higher risks. Researchers don’t know if pregnancy complications cause changes in the body that increase the risk of heart disease or if complications are signs that the risks are already there. 

In addition to pregnancy complications, many women have other conditions that increase heart health risks, including chronic inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or HIV/AIDS infection. A family history of heart disease also raises your risks. 

This all may sound scary, but knowing your risks can be beneficial. Heart disease takes decades to develop, so if you know you are at higher risk, you can make lifestyle changes now to protect your health in the future. Early intervention is key so you can take steps to manage your health.

Simple steps for monitoring your heart health 

Postpartum is an ideal time to focus on heart health, especially if you’ve had pregnancy complications. Here’s what you can do:

  • Make a plan with your doctor. To start, talk with your OBGYN during your postpartum visit about your health risks. Within a year of giving birth, you’ll also want to see your primary care provider and make sure you update them about any pregnancy complications. Your healthcare provider is there to guide and support you, so don’t hesitate to talk with them about how you’ll monitor your heart and blood vessel health going forward.
  • Share your family history. In addition to pregnancy health, share your family heart-health history with your provider. If high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease runs in your family, your own risk is higher, too. 
  • Know your numbers. Keep up-to-date on important heart-health-related tests and know your numbers so you can spot changes early. Key tests include blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose/ hemoglobin A1C.
  • Make lifestyle changes to lower your risks. You can nurture your heart health by eating well, getting enough sleep, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking. Talk with your healthcare provider if you need support.


Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Sources:

]]> Preeclampsia: it can happen after birth, too https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/315139/preeclampsia-it-can-happen-after-birth-too/ Tue, 15 Oct 2024 15:38:07 +0000 https://www.oviahealth.com/?post_type=article&p=315139 You may be familiar with preeclampsia as a potential pregnancy complication. But did you know that it can also occur up to six weeks after giving birth? This is known as postpartum preeclampsia, and it’s a rare condition marked by high blood pressure.

While the exact cause of postpartum preeclampsia is unknown, certain risk factors can increase your chances of developing the condition. They include obesity, diabetes, autoimmune conditions, being older than 40, and giving birth to twins, triplets, or more.

What to look out for

Most people begin experiencing symptoms within 48 hours of childbirth, but in some cases, symptoms develop during the six weeks after birth. You can develop this serious condition even if you’ve never had high blood pressure or preeclampsia during pregnancy.

In addition to high blood pressure (140/90 mmHg or higher), symptoms of postpartum preeclampsia can include:

  • Headaches that may be severe
  • Vision changes, including blurriness and light sensitivity
  • Swelling in your face, hands, feet, or limbs
  • Abdominal pain, often near your ribs
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Decreased urination
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid weight gain

If you’ve recently given birth and are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately or go to the nearest emergency room. Seeking medical attention right away is important, as postpartum preeclampsia can lead to dangerous complications.

Why timely treatment matters

The prognosis for postpartum preeclampsia is very good when the condition is diagnosed and treated promptly. But if left untreated, it can put you at risk for a number of life-threatening health issues, including seizures, stroke, blood clots, excess fluid in your lungs, and permanent organ damage.

To reduce your risks and effectively treat the condition, your healthcare provider may prescribe:

  • Medications to lower your blood pressure
  • Anti-seizure medications to prevent seizures (one of the most common risks)
  • Anticoagulant medications to thin your blood and prevent clotting

Rest as much as you can during treatment, and keep in mind that it may take several days to a few weeks for your blood pressure to be brought down to a safe level. That’s why it’s critical that you attend all of your postnatal appointments and talk to your healthcare provider if anything seems off.

Not sure what to do?

When it comes to postpartum preeclampsia—whether diagnosed or suspected—don’t hesitate to speak up and seek help. Doing so could quite literally save your life.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

]]> Tracking your blood sugar https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/259622/tracking-your-blood-sugar-2/ Wed, 29 Dec 2021 19:41:03 +0000 https://www.oviahealth.com/?post_type=article&p=259622 If you have diabetes, tracking your blood sugar is one of the most important things you can do to stay on top of your health. Ovia lets you keep track of your blood sugar levels right in the app.

Why track blood sugar?

Blood sugar tracking is important for anybody who is diagnosed with diabetes, whether type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes. Your healthcare provider should let you know how often to test your blood sugar. The frequency of testing usually depends on the type of diabetes you have, and how much insulin you use.

Tracking your blood sugar helps you understand how different foods, medications, illness, and activities affect your levels. This allows you and your provider to develop the management plan that’s best-suited for you.

What do the numbers mean?

Blood sugar levels are represented as milligrams of sugar per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). The normal ranges of blood sugar are as follows:

  • Before meals: 80 – 130 mg/dL
  • Within 2 hours after meals: Less than 180 mg/dL

Everybody is different, and the American Diabetes Association recommends that healthy people under 60 aim for lower levels than these. You should speak with your healthcare provider about the ideal blood sugar levels for you.

Sources

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/managing-blood-sugar/bloodglucosemonitoring.html

Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/blood-sugar/art-20046628

American Diabetes Association: https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments/blood-glucose-testing-and-control/checking-your-blood-glucose

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