title: Pregnancy related changes in some cardiovascular risk factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Certain risk factors for development of ischemic heart disease are influenced by pregnancy related changes of female sex hormone levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  As a part of the cardiovascular risk factor studies in Finnmark county, Norway, 1974-75 and 1977-78, cross-sectional clinical and non-fasting laboratory data were obtained prior to conception (n = 463), during pregnancy (n = 335), and following delivery (n = 451).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with prepregnancy values, total cholesterol was on average 7% lower in the first trimester (p < 0.001), and 30% higher at the end of gestation (p < 0.001). High density lipoprotein cholesterol was 38% higher at mid-pregnancy (p < 0.001), but only 14% higher in the last trimester (p < 0.01). Serum triglycerides were 18% lower in the first (p < 0.001) and 123% higher in the third trimester (p < 0.001). Blood glucose was 5% lower than baseline in mid-pregnancy (p < 0.001). Except for the second trimester, when only 27% of women smoked, more than 40% of the women examined were smokers. Postpartum values were similar to prepregnancy levels, except serum triglycerides which remained 35% higher (p < 0.001) and blood glucose (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The major serum lipid fractions, and blood glucose, were significantly different during pregnancy and postpartum, which may influence the risk of cardiovascular disease development in women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tromso, Norway.
authors.forename: L N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Berge
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arnesen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Forsdahl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004967:Estrogens; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol