Pregnancy and cardiovascular disease in developing countries of South Asia—A narrative review

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, low-middle-income countries report higher maternal mortality rates in South Asia compared to higher-income countries. Pregnancy with cardiovascular diseases is a prominent contributor to these preventable deaths. Reasons behind poor maternal outcomes are multifactorial, including unstable healthcare systems, knowledge gaps, and sociocultural factors. This review discusses the concept of iceberg model, a tool for health system analysis to identify potential factors behind poor maternal outcomes.