Cone Health Opens Heart Clinic for Child-Bearing Women

Heart disease is taking an increasing toll on pregnant women.

Greensboro- Cone Health has opened a heart disease clinic for women who are planning to have a baby, are pregnant or have recently had a baby. The Cone Health Medical Group HeartCare Cardio-Obstetrics Clinic is at MedCenter for Women in Greensboro. 

According to a study in The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, cardiovascular disease has become the leading cause of death for pregnant women and those who have recently had a child. 

Dr. Kardie Tobb

“Health risks from heart disease have increased for pregnant women since 1990, in part due to the increasing age of women in pregnancy and increases in cardiovascular risk factors in all women,” says Cone Health cardiologist Kardie Tobb who will lead the clinic. Non-Hispanic Black women have more than double the chance of dying due to cardiovascular conditions during or shortly after pregnancy than white women and Hispanic women.  

More women with heart defects are living into child-bearing years and more women with diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure are becoming pregnant. “Heart care has become an important resource for women before, during and months after pregnancy,” adds Tobb. 

The cardio-obstetrics clinic offers care and counseling for women before, during and after pregnancy, including those with known heart conditions and those at risk of developing heart conditions during pregnancy.

Tobb says that with proper care many women who are born with or who develop heart disease can have uncomplicated pregnancies. She advises women who are planning to become pregnant, or who already are, to talk with their doctor about their heart health.