Life’s Essential 8 in Pregnancy and Time to Incident Cardiometabolic Disease Over 7 Years Follow-Up
By
Ellen C. Francis
Shalin Patel
Anushka Pande
Alexa Freedman
Lauren Keenan-Devlin
Linda M. Ernst
Emily S. Barrett
Ann Borders
Gregory E. Miller
Shristi Rawal
Amy H. Crockett
June 29, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Essential 8 Factors During Pregnancy and Their Impact on Cardiometabolic Disease Incidence Over a 7-Year Period
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Cardiometabolic Disease in Pregnancy Key Mechanisms Physiologic demands of gestation unmask latent dysfunction, serving as a stress test for cardiometabolic health. Target Population Pregnant individuals aged 14 to 45 years with singleton pregnancies. Care Setting Prenatal care settings, particularly in low-income and racially diverse populations.
Key Highlights
Pregnancy is a critical period for assessing long-term cardiometabolic risk. Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) are linked to future cardiometabolic diseases. The modified Life’s Essential 8 (mLE8) score may better identify risk than traditional methods. High mLE8 scores are associated with a longer time to incident cardiometabolic disease post-delivery. Existing risk calculators often overlook pregnancy-related factors. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Utilize the modified Life’s Essential 8 (mLE8) for assessing cardiovascular health during pregnancy. Management
Monitor lifestyle factors including diet, physical activity, and sleep health during pregnancy. Monitoring & Follow-up
Assess blood pressure and glucose levels as part of routine prenatal care. Risks
Consider the increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease associated with gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders. Patient & Prescribing Data
Low-income, racially diverse pregnant individuals in South Carolina.
Early identification of cardiometabolic risk factors during pregnancy can inform preventive strategies.
Clinical Best Practices
Implement comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessments during pregnancy. Incorporate behavioral and clinical domains in risk evaluation. Utilize the mLE8 framework to enhance early intervention strategies. Related Resources & Content
