HOUSTON — Heart disease is the leading cause of maternal deaths in the U.S., according to the March of Dimes. The organization says around 80% of those deaths are preventable.
Heart problems can impact pregnant women's ability to deliver babies healthy and to full-term. March of Dimes President Dr. Elizabeth Cherot said that in Houston, the pre-term birthrate is at 12.1%, which is considered a failing rate.
"Mom really needs to take care of herself. Because of her hypertension, she could be delivered pre-term or the growth of the baby could be restricted or so much smaller than its predicted gestational age, but it's better to be out than in because of mom," Cherot said.
The organization said that moms who are trying to maintain a healthy weight by eating right, not smoking and checking their hypertension could help prevent heart disease.