(PeopleImages/iStock via Getty Images) Lea en español Pregnancy often causes discomfort, whether it be morning sickness, backaches or swollen feet. But sometimes, health experts warn, a seemingly minor symptom could be a flag for something more. Take dizziness. “It’s common, especially in the first trimester,” said Dr. Silvana Ribaudo, an attending physician and assistant clinical…

(Gorica Poturak/iStock via Getty Images) Pregnancy complications and menopause can increase women’s risk for cardiovascular disease. Here are the year’s top 5 stories on these topics and more, ranked in order of unique page views. 1. Pregnancy complications could increase a woman’s stroke risk at an earlier age Women who have complications during pregnancy may…

(J614/DigitalVision Vectors via Getty Images) Hispanic women diagnosed with high blood pressure for the first time during pregnancy may face a higher risk of developing abnormalities in heart function and structure later in life, a new study suggests. The findings could have significant health implications for women who develop hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, such as…

(fabio camandona/500Px Plus via Getty Images) Lea en español How well a woman sleeps – not just how long – as she transitions through menopause may affect her projected risk for heart disease and stroke, new research suggests. The study found women who were peri- and postmenopausal who experienced a range of sleep disturbances scored…

(Sebastian Kaulitzki/Science Photo Library via Getty Images) Lea en español Having a hysterectomy, even if the ovaries are spared, may place women at greater risk for a constellation of cardiovascular risk factors known as metabolic syndrome, new research shows. The findings, presented last month at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions conference in Philadelphia, call…

(Drazen Zigic/iStock via Getty Images) Many women with diabetes and high blood pressure during pregnancy did not receive appropriate postpartum care to reduce their future risk of cardiovascular disease, a study at one health system has found. “Many patients I see were not aware that (one of these pregnancy complications) was a risk factor for…

(izusek/E+ via Getty Images) Lea en español Routine mammograms are used to check women for breast cancer. But new research suggests they could do more than that: The images may help predict a woman’s risk for major cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks and strokes, when they show the presence of calcium buildup in the…

Christina Roberto and her daughter, Charlotte, who is now 2. (Photo courtesy of Christina Roberto) Lea en español After enduring a difficult pregnancy marred with severe bouts of nausea and vomiting, Christina Roberto recalls the overwhelming sense of relief she felt two years ago when she finally brought her newborn daughter, Charlotte, safely home from…

(tab1962/iStock via Getty Images) Insomnia and stressful life events may explain why some women develop an irregular heart rhythm after menopause, new research finds. Psychosocial factors are “the missing piece to the puzzle” that can lead to atrial fibrillation, or AFib, the study’s lead author said. The findings were published Wednesday in the Journal of…

(luza studios/E+ via Getty Images) Women who take estrogen hormone pills to relieve menopausal symptoms may be more likely to develop high blood pressure than women using other forms of the medication, according to new research. Hormone therapy may be prescribed to relieve symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes and…