A UK national study of 210 pregnancies in women with preexisting cardiomyopathy found zero maternal deaths — but that's not the whole story. About 1 in 10 developed heart failure during pregnancy, 1 in 20 needed ICU-level care, and nearly 1 in 5 babies required neonatal unit admission. Experts say preconception counselling from a dedicated pregnancy heart team is essential for all women with known cardiomyopathy.
A UK national study tracking pregnancies in women with preexisting cardiomyopathy offers a cautiously reassuring — but not complication-free — picture. Across 210 pregnancies followed between 2021 and 2024, no maternal deaths were recorded. However, heart failure, ICU admissions, and neonatal complications remained meaningful concerns, underscoring that these pregnancies are far from low-risk.
The study, published in BJOG, drew on the UK Obstetric Surveillance System and included women with dilated, hypertrophic, arrhythmogenic right ventricular, prior peripartum, and other cardiomyopathies. Over half of deliveries were by caesarean section, and nearly 1 in 5 babies ended up in neonatal care.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: These findings reinforce that cardiomyopathy in pregnancy demands specialized, multidisciplinary care. The authors call for all affected women to receive preconception counselling from a dedicated pregnancy heart team, in line with the latest European Society of Cardiology guidelines — a standard that could meaningfully reduce complications for both mother and baby.
