Pregnancy is a critical period that can have lasting effects on a woman's health. Research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2025 highlights the significant role of essential minerals in maternal blood during pregnancy. The study reveals that higher levels of copper, manganese, and vitamin B12 may reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure later in life.

The investigation, part of Project Viva, an ongoing long-term study based in eastern Massachusetts, examined nearly 500 women who enrolled between 1999 and 2002. Researchers analyzed blood samples collected early in pregnancy for concentrations of various metals and micronutrients. Follow-up assessments conducted between 2017 and 2021, when participants were around 51 years old, revealed compelling associations between prenatal mineral levels and midlife blood pressure. Specifically, doubling the levels of copper and manganese during pregnancy was linked to a 25% and 20% lower risk of hypertension, respectively. Similarly, increased vitamin B12 levels correlated with reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements almost two decades later.

These findings underscore the importance of optimizing essential nutrients during pregnancy to safeguard cardiovascular health. Lead author Mingyu Zhang, Ph.D., M.H.S., emphasized that while these results are promising, they should not be interpreted as direct recommendations for dietary changes. Further research, including clinical trials, is necessary to determine optimal intake levels. The ultimate goal is to identify and support women at risk of developing hypertension through enhanced nutrition or supplements during pregnancy. This proactive approach could significantly impact women's long-term cardiovascular well-being, highlighting the potential for preventive healthcare measures that begin early in life.