American Heart Association releases scientific statement for maternal stroke prevention during pregnancy, postpartum
A new AHA scientific statement outlines how earlier prevention, rapid diagnosis and timely treatment can reduce the risks of maternal stroke during pregnancy and postpartum.
Though rare, stroke still remains a life-threatening complication of pregnancy with potential implications for both maternal and fetal health. This, combined with the American Heart Association (AHA) noting limited guidance in current stroke prevention and treatment guidelines, has led the AHA to release a scientific statement that details “risk factors for pregnancy-related stroke and offers suggestions for stroke prevention, rapid diagnosis, timely treatment and recovery during pregnancy and postpartum.” The statement was published on January 28, 2026, in the AHA journal Stroke, and endorsed by the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecologists (ACOG).1,2