Overview
- Women with a previous ischemic stroke had more than twice the adjusted risk of another stroke during pregnancy and within six weeks after childbirth.
- In database counts, 415 recurrent strokes occurred among 1,192 pregnant patients with prior stroke (34.8%) versus 737 first strokes among 219,287 without prior stroke (0.34%).
- Previous heart attack was linked to an 82% higher risk and obesity to a 25% higher risk of ischemic stroke in pregnancy or early postpartum.
- Study authors urge preconception counseling, close neurologic–obstetric surveillance, and care in experienced high‑risk centers for pregnant patients with stroke history.
- The findings are observational and preliminary; separate AHA guidance published this week emphasizes prevention through blood‑pressure control and says urgent imaging and recommended acute therapies should not be delayed in pregnancy.