Among people with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, the prevalence of post-pregnancy depression was 10.4-32.2%, anxiety was 22.0-28.5%, and mild PTSD was 26.4%.
What is the prevalence of post-pregnancy mental health disorders in people with pre-existing cardiovascular disease?
The prevalence of post-pregnancy depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms among people with pre-existing CVD may be similar to or higher than the general population, highlighting a need for mental health screening in this high-risk group.
BACKGROUND: Pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects 1-4% of pregnancies in the USA and is associated with maternal morbidity. High-risk pregnancies with increased medical supervision are associated with poor postpartum mental health, although the prevalence in those with CVD is unclear. AIMS: This scoping review aimed to synthesise estimates of post-pregnancy mental health outcomes among people with pre-existing CVD. METHOD: Cochrane Library, Ovid Medline, Ovid EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science Core Collection were searched to identify relevant published literature, using controlled vocabulary and keywords for post-pregnancy mental health and CVD in pregnancy. The search was not limited by publication type, year or study design. Studies that included an assessment of post-pregnancy depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after a pregnancy complicated by pre-existing CVD were included. RESULTS: Of the 1591 studies screened, 7 met the inclusion criteria. In patients with pre-existing CVD, 4 studies assessed depressive symptoms and found a prevalence of 10.4-32.2%; 2 studies assessed anxiety symptoms and found a prevalence of 22.0-28.5%; and 1 study assessed PTSD and found a prevalence of 26.4% for mild symptoms and 18.2% for moderate symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of post-pregnancy depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms among people with pre-existing CVD may be similar to, or higher than, estimates from the general population. However, there was high heterogeneity in the included studies. More research is needed to determine if there is an increased risk of postpartum mental health disorders for pregnant people with pre-existing CVD.
Becene et al. (Wed,) conducted a review in Pre-existing cardiovascular disease in pregnancy. Pre-existing cardiovascular disease was evaluated on Prevalence of post-pregnancy depression, anxiety or PTSD symptoms. Among people with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, the prevalence of post-pregnancy depression was 10.4-32.2%, anxiety was 22.0-28.5%, and mild PTSD was 26.4%.