What the new NIH women’s health division could mean for your heart

What the order says

On October 19, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to establish a Women’s Health Division within an appropriate NIH institute or center within 90 days. Cardiovascular disease, maternal health and menopause are among the research priorities.

The order also creates a White House Women’s Health Task Force and calls for research findings to reach clinical care, including through updated clinical education.

The division is directed to work with NIH’s Office of Research on Women’s Health, which was established in 1990. NIH already has a long history of women’s health research. The order also revokes women’s health executive actions issued in 2023 and 2024.

Sources: 1, 2, 3

What happens next?

These are directions for future work. The order does not specify a new funding total, and implementation is subject to available appropriations. The division’s effect on care will depend on how the work is carried out and what the evidence shows.

The announcement itself does not determine which tests or treatments an individual woman needs. You can bring your questions and health history into care now.

Sources: 1

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Why pregnancy history belongs in lifelong care

Pregnancy history is heart history. High blood pressure during pregnancy, gestational diabetes and delivering early are among the complications associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. The American Heart Association recommends considering pregnancy complications when assessing a woman’s cardiovascular risk.

An increased risk does not mean you will develop heart disease. It is a reason to ask about your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and the follow-up that makes sense for you. The AHA also calls for better transfer of pregnancy information from obstetric care to primary care.

Sources: 4, 5, 6

What I want to see reach everyday care

For me, meaningful progress would show up in ordinary healthcare visits. These are the changes I want research and better coordination to help make possible:

• Pregnancy complications remain visible in a woman’s ongoing health record.
• The clinician caring for her after pregnancy has the information needed to plan follow-up.
• Research findings come with clear explanations of what they mean, who they apply to and what remains uncertain.
• A woman leaves with a next step, a timeframe and the name of the person coordinating her care.

Put your history on one page

Bring what you remember: the year of each pregnancy, any diagnoses, whether your baby arrived early, and medicines or follow-up you needed. If you have discharge summaries or old test results, bring those too. If details are missing, ask your clinician which records would be useful to retrieve.

That is the purpose behind HEART RESERVE’s Heart Story: to help you bring your pregnancy history, bloodwork and questions together before a healthcare visit.

You might write: “I had high blood pressure during pregnancy. It improved after delivery. Does that change what we should keep track of now?” You can start this conversation whether your pregnancy was last year or many years ago.

Build my Heart Story

Write down my pregnancy history