FOCUS on cardiovascular disease during pregnancy

Pregnancies affected by cardiovascular disease (CVD) are rising due to older maternal age, survival of women with congenital heart disease reaching childbearing age, and increasing cardiovascular comorbidities. CVD is now the leading cause of non-obstetric maternal death worldwide, posing significant maternal, neonatal, and long-term risks. This month, FOCUS delves into the 2025 ESC Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease and Pregnancy, which introduced significant updates, including dedicated chapters on the Pregnancy Heart Team, a revised risk-stratification framework, expanded disease-specific management strategies, illustrative clinical scenarios, and new insights into the long-term impact of adverse pregnancy outcomes.