Your pregnancy may be in an old hospital record. Your period changes may come up at a gynecology visit. Your cholesterol may be checked somewhere else. Bringing that history together can make your next heart-health conversation more useful.
On October 26, 2026, the American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine introduced a shared framework for women’s cardiovascular care across life stages.
In this article
Four life stages, with pregnancy carried through the story
The framework begins around the first menstrual period, continues through the reproductive years, and follows the transition into menopause and the years afterward. Pregnancy is an event that can affect care across these stages; it is not a separate fifth stage.
| Life stage | What it describes |
|---|---|
| Perimenarche | The transition around the first period |
| Ovarian cycling | The reproductive years, when regular hormone cycles are established |
| Perimenopause | The transition toward menopause |
| Postmenopause | The years after menopause |
Pregnancy history is heart history
The announcement explicitly recognizes pregnancy complications as information that belongs in later cardiovascular care. A past complication does not mean heart disease is inevitable. It gives your clinician context when considering your current health and follow-up.
Sources: 1
Your age does not tell the whole story
The stages are not determined by birthdays alone. Changes in cycles, hormones, symptoms and treatment need individual context. Heart Story does not assign you a stage or ask you to diagnose yourself.
The guidance also connects cardiovascular health with hormonal and emotional wellbeing. Bring sleep, mood and practical barriers to care into the conversation, alongside your blood pressure, bloodwork and medicines.
Sources: 3
Bring the details you know
You do not need a perfect medical record to begin. Write down what you remember and mark anything you are unsure about.
- Pregnancy: the complication you were told about, the year, and where you received care.
- Periods and menopause: the changes you want to discuss and when they began.
- Current health: your recent results, medicines and the question that matters most to you.
Ask: ‘Does any part of this history change what we should check or follow for my heart now?’ Record who will review the next step and when.
Watch the AHA announcement
The American Heart Association shared this reel to introduce the life-stage approach. You can also read the original announcement and professional framework below.
Put your history in one place
Heart Story helps you organize the details and questions you want to bring to your clinician. Start with what you know, then add the plan you agree on at your visit.
Written by
Lisa Zahakos, RPA-C
A physician assistant since 2003, currently working in psychiatry and addiction medicine after earlier work in interventional cardiology and executive and integrative medicine.
Read the editorial and review standardEvidence behind the article
Sources and editorial review
Sources checked:
- Leading health groups redefine heart health for girls and womenAmerican Heart Association · 2026
- Cardiovascular Health in Girls and Women CompendiumAmerican Heart Association · 2026
- Consensus guidance for female-specific prevention and management of cardiovascular disease: Top Things to KnowAmerican Heart Association · 2026
This article summarizes the October 26, 2026 announcement and framework. It is educational and does not establish an individual diagnosis or treatment plan. The framework does not constitute endorsement of HEART RESERVE or validation of a heart-age calculation.
Independent clinical review is identified only when it has been completed and approved in writing. No external reviewer or organization is implied. Sources do not imply endorsement of HEART RESERVE.