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Role of pregnancy hormones and hormonal interaction on the maternal cardiovascular system: a literature review

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Abstract

Hormones have a vital duty in the conservation of physiological cardiovascular function during pregnancy. Alterations in oestrogen, progesterone and prolactin levels are associated with changes in the cardiovascular system to support the growing foetus and counteract pregnancy stresses. Pregnancy hormones are, however, also linked to numerous pathophysiological outcomes on the cardiovascular system. The expression and effects of the three main pregnancy hormones (oestrogen, prolactin and progesterone) vary depending on the gestation period. However, the reaction of a target cell also depends on the abundance of hormone receptors and impacts put forth by other hormones. Hormonal interaction may be synergistic, antagonistic or permissive. It is crucial to explore the cross talk of pregnancy hormones during gestation, as this may have a greater impact on the overall changes to the cardiovascular system.

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Acknowledgements

This research could not have been conducted without the funding support towards running costs of the Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa from the University of Cape Town, the Medical Research Council South Africa (Grant ID 488000), The National Research Foundation South Africa (Grant ID 105867), and the Maurice Hatter Foundation and The Letten Foundation.

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  1. Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, 4th floor Chris Barnard Building, Observatory, Cape Town, 7935, South Africa

    Vitaris Kodogo, Feriel Azibani & Karen Sliwa

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Kodogo, V., Azibani, F. & Sliwa, K. Role of pregnancy hormones and hormonal interaction on the maternal cardiovascular system: a literature review. Clin Res Cardiol 108, 831–846 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-019-01441-x

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