The numbers of US women having a stroke during pregnancy has surged, according to doctors.
The incidents increased from 4,085 in 1994-5 to 6,293 in 2006-7, the journal Stroke suggests.
It is thought other risk factors such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes may be to blame.
The Stroke Association said it was concerned by the sharp increase. Pregnancy is a known - if small - risk factor for stroke.
This study compared data from more than 1,000 hospitals in 1994-5 with 2006-7.
"More common"
During pregnancy itself, the proportion of women having a stroke increased by 47%, going from 0.15 to 0.22 strokes per 1000 deliveries.
In the 12 weeks after birth there was an increase from 0.12 to 0.22 strokes per 1000 deliveries, an 83% increase.
Dr Elena Kuklina, lead researcher from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said: "I am surprised at the magnitude of the increase, which is substantial. Our results indicate an urgent need to take a closer look."
The researchers suggest that two conditions - high blood pressure and heart disease - "explained almost all of the increase" in stroke after birth.
Dr Kuklina said: "Now more and more women entering pregnancy already have some type of risk factor for stroke, such as obesity, chronic hypertension, diabetes or congenital heart disease.
"Since pregnancy by itself is a risk factor, if you have one of these other stroke risk factors, it doubles the risk."
Many of these conditions are also increasing in the UK.
Dr Sharlin Ahmed, research liaison officer for The Stroke Association, said: "We're concerned that this study has found such a sharp increase in pregnancy-related stroke over the past few years.
"It is so important for woman wanting to start a family to understand the risks associated with pregnancy and to take steps to make sure they are as healthy as possible before they become pregnant."
Source: BBC
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
16 missing after Red Sea tourist boat sinks
48 seconds -
Angela Merkel defends ties with Russia and blocking Ukraine from Nato
5 mins -
Right to Dream are filling ‘the big gap’ in Ghana – UG Director of Sports
38 mins -
Prosecutor drops federal criminal cases against Trump
45 mins -
Asante Kotoko removes Prosper Ogum from Interim Management Committee
51 mins -
Emirates relieved as colleague returns safely after alleged kidnapping
56 mins -
Right to Dream unveils monument to celebrate silver jubilee
1 hour -
Developed countries commit $300bn annually to boost climate finance
1 hour -
Stratcomm Africa celebrates 30 years with inspiring Women S.H.A.R.E. anniversary event
1 hour -
26 arrested for brandishing, indiscrimimately firing toy guns in public
1 hour -
CHRAJ report confirms National Cathedral is a taxpayer-funded project – Ablakwa
2 hours -
Hotjobs Africa CEO, Chief Emmanuel Mefful honoured as one of ‘Ghana’s 100 Most Influential People’ in 2024
2 hours -
H&M Manufacturing Limited CEO Charles Hanna named recipient of 100 Most influential People Awards, 2024
2 hours -
JoyNews National Dialogue on Clean Air set for November 26
2 hours -
National Cathedral: A-G must probe and surcharge if he finds breaches – Domelovo
3 hours