The programming of women’s health: A narrative review detailing insights into regenerative medicine-based approaches for cardiovascular disease intervention

Abstract

Fetal programming (Barker’s hypothesis) is a key concept in the current vision of health and disease. The fetal programming hypothesis of adult diseases suggests that the fetus adapts to environmental influences, and those changes in its regulatory systems could have long-term effects on child and adult health. The theory stems from the widely held finding that infants who are lower in weight at birth are more likely to die from cardiovascular disease later in life. There is certainly sex-specific cardiovascular disease. There is evidence that women who have given birth to low-birth-weight babies have an increased level of arterial hypertension. Pre-eclampsia is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and its complications. A review of the literature focused on analyzing the factors affecting women’s health programming from the antenatal stage to elderly age. Fetal programming arose from food blockade in the Netherlands during World War II. The weak point in Barker’s hypothesis is the absence of different situations associated with low birth weight. This could be due to premature birth or fetal growth restriction. Fetal growth restriction is a satellite of pre-eclampsia. An analysis of the literature data revealed that mothers of children who are small for gestational age have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease of up to 3 times, whereas mothers with pre-eclampsia and preterm birth have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease of up to 9 times. Therefore, pregnancy complications are an early marker of a woman’s predisposition to develop cardiovascular disease and require preventive measures. Menopause typically begins as aging starts, often resulting in various diseases. There are no evident markers of fetal programming atherogenicity during the reproductive period in women without severe comorbidities. Hypoestrogenism is a trigger for a considerable number of comorbid menopausal disorders. Close monitoring of menopausal patients permits the determination of priorities in the implementation of the following therapeutic strategies, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Dietary nutrition and physical activity are important components of preventive medicine for reducing insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and chronic inflammation. In conclusion, theanalysis of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and other pathologies in women revealed the significant role of placenta-related disorders. Great obstetric syndromes can affect both fetal and maternal health programming, with long- and short-term consequences. Maternal polycystic ovary syndrome is a cause of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and disturbed development of the fetal reproductive system. Menopause is a time for initiative-taking health measures that support longevity. Creating gender-focused cardiovascular disease prevention programs in regenerative medicine could further advance human health.