Women who experience difficult pregnancies may be at a higher risk of developing a heart condition called atrial fibrillation (AF) for up to 46 years after giving birth, according to a new study. The research included data from 2.2 million women who gave birth in Sweden between 1973 and 2015. The study found that all adverse pregnancy outcomes, except for low birth weight, were linked to a higher risk of AF in the long term. Women with conditions such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and those who gave birth prematurely, were found to have an increased risk of AF. The study also found that women with multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes had an even higher risk of developing AF. Commenting on the study, Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), highlighted the growing body of evidence that links reproductive factors to women’s long-term cardiovascular health. She also emphasised the need for healthcare professionals to regularly ask about reproductive cardiovascular risk factors when assessing women.