Health Podcast Library
Episode 255

Does Lifestyle Affect Pregnancy and Congenital Birth Defects?

Mar 10, 2026
20:26

Episode Description

Does Lifestyle Affect Pregnancy and Congenital Birth Defects?

 

Guest: Katie Young, M.D.

Guest: Carl Rose, M.D.

Host: Marysia Tweet, M.D., M.S.

 

Lifestyle choices before and during pregnancy can shape both maternal cardiovascular risk and fetal development. In this podcast, we explore how lifestyle factors before and during pregnancy influence maternal cardiovascular health and pregnancy outcomes.

 

Topics Discussed:

  • If a woman wishes to become pregnant, what can she do to minimize risk of adverse events during pregnancy or the postpartum period? 
  • Are there certain lifestyle choices that are known to cause pregnancy complications? 
  • Are there certain lifestyle choices that are known to cause congenital birth defects? 
  • Are there any women for whom you would advise daily baby aspirin during pregnancy? 
  • Are there lifestyle factors that should prompt enhanced fetal cardiac surveillance?
  • What cardiovascular or metabolic risk factors should ideally be optimized before conception?

Connect with Mayo Clinic's Cardiovascular Continuing Medical Education online at https://cveducation.mayo.edu or on Twitter @MayoClinicCV and @MayoCVservices.

LinkedIn: Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Services


Cardiovascular Education App:
The Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular CME App is an innovative educational platform that features cardiology-focused continuing medical education wherever and whenever you need it. Use this app to access other free content and browse upcoming courses. Download it for free in Apple or Google stores today!

No CME credit offered for this episode.

 

Podcast episode transcript found here.

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