Rohlfing AB, Nah G, Ryckman KK, et al. - Researchers conducted a case control study investigating if maternal cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are predictive of preterm birth. Assessment of data from 868 mothers revealed increased odds of preterm birth in correlation with all categories of hypertension after adjusting for the other maternal CVD risk factors of interest; the strongest magnitude of correlation was observed in the preeclampsia group and chronic hypertension alone for early preterm birth. Further, they noted threefold increased risk for preterm birth in correlation with diabetes (types 1 and 2 and gestational). Per these findings, traditional CVD risk factors are significantly linked with an elevated risk of preterm birth. They thereby emphasize the clinical significance of integrating obstetric and cardiovascular risk assessment across the healthcare continuum in women.