Lou Portero

Urban Health Today

A comprehensive analysis of over 10 million American women has revealed concerning connections between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and reduced breastfeeding success, highlighting yet another layer of health disparities affecting maternal and infant outcomes.
Researchers examining data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System found that women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy had 11% higher odds of never initiating breastfeeding and 17% higher likelihood of stopping breastfeeding earlier than women without these conditions. The study, which tracked outcomes from 2016 through 2022, represents one of the largest investigations into this relationship within the United States.
The timing difference proved substantial, with women experiencing hypertensive disorders stopping breastfeeding a median of 17 weeks earlier than their counterparts without these conditions. Given that longer breastfeeding duration correlates with greater cardiovascular protection for mothers, this finding carries particular significance for women already at elevated risk for future heart disease.
The research revealed striking racial and ethnic disparities, with American Indian or Alaska Native women showing 21% prevalence of hypertensive disorders, while Black women experienced 23% prevalence. These same populations traditionally demonstrate lower breastfeeding rates, creating a compounding effect where those at highest cardiovascular risk receive the least protective benefit from breastfeeding.
Multiple factors likely contribute to reduced breastfeeding success among women with hypertensive disorders, including necessary medications that may influence feeding decisions, higher rates of cesarean delivery, increased likelihood of maternal-infant separation for medical care, and greater prevalence of conditions like diabetes and obesity that can interfere with milk production.
The implications extend beyond individual health outcomes. With hypertensive disorders affecting approximately 16% of pregnancies and rates more than doubling between 1993 and 2017, this represents a growing public health concern. The research suggests targeted interventions supporting breastfeeding among women with hypertensive disorders could provide crucial cardiovascular protection for populations already facing elevated health risks.
Healthcare providers should recognize these findings when counseling patients with hypertensive disorders, ensuring appropriate lactation support and addressing barriers that may prevent successful breastfeeding initiation and continuation.
 
<div class="post-references"><h3>References</h3>Nardella D, Canavan ME, Taylor SN, et al. Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Among US Women. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(7):e2521902. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.21902
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2836562
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A comprehensive analysis of over 10 million American women has revealed concerning connections between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and reduced breastfeeding success, highlighting yet another layer of health disparities affecting maternal and infant outcomes.Researchers examining data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System found that women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy had 11% higher odds of never initiating breastfeeding and 17% higher likelihood of stopping breastfeeding earlier than women without these conditions. The study, which tracked outcomes from 2016 through 2022, represents one of the largest investigations into this relationship within the United States.The timing difference proved substantial, with women experiencing hypertensive disorders stopping breastfeeding a median of 17 weeks earlier than their counterparts without these conditions. Given that longer breastfeeding duration correlates with greater cardiovascular protection for mothers, this finding carries particular significance for women already at elevated risk for future heart disease.The research revealed striking racial and ethnic disparities, with American Indian or Alaska Native women showing 21% prevalence of hypertensive disorders, while Black women experienced 23% prevalence. These same populations traditionally demonstrate lower breastfeeding rates, creating a compounding effect where those at highest cardiovascular risk receive the least protective benefit from breastfeeding.Multiple factors likely contribute to reduced breastfeeding success among women with hypertensive disorders, including necessary medications that may influence feeding decisions, higher rates of cesarean delivery, increased likelihood of maternal-infant separation for medical care, and greater prevalence of conditions like diabetes and obesity that can interfere with milk production.The implications extend beyond individual health outcomes. With hypertensive disorders affecting approximately 16% of pregnancies and rates more than doubling between 1993 and 2017, this represents a growing public health concern. The research suggests targeted interventions supporting breastfeeding among women with hypertensive disorders could provide crucial cardiovascular protection for populations already facing elevated health risks.Healthcare providers should recognize these findings when counseling patients with hypertensive disorders, ensuring appropriate lactation support and addressing barriers that may prevent successful breastfeeding initiation and continuation. <div class="post-references"><h3>References</h3>Nardella D, Canavan ME, Taylor SN, et al. Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Among US Women. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(7):e2521902. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.21902
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2836562
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Women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy had 11% higher odds of never initiating breastfeeding