ABSTRACT
Gravidity, or the number of pregnancies a woman has had, is linked to a number of biochemical alterations, including changes in cardiovascular parameters. These modifications may increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease in this population. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect gravidity has on some cardiovascular markers among normotensive pregnant women. A cross-sectional study of 100 women of reproductive age was carried out at Rivers State University and Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, the subjects were chosen at random for the study. Blood samples were taken and tested for total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, uric acid, and Apolipoprotein A1 and B. Apolipoprotein A1 and B were all measured in blood samples for biochemical analysis. The levels of low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein were determined. Graph Pad Prism Version 8.0.2.263 was used to analyze the data from the study. Result gotten from the study showed that Gravidity had no significant effect on biochemical parameters (TC, TG, UA, LDL, Apo A1, Apo B, CRP, and VLDL) in pregnant women (P>0.05), but there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in HDL levels among the group; 0.87 ± 0.21 (1-2), 0.93 ± 0.21 (3-4), 0.86 ± 0.12(5-6) and 1.30 ± 0.00 for (7-8). The effect of gravidity (1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8) on HDL was shown to be significant for ANOVA and Turkey post hoc multiple comparison test; (1-2 vs 7-8) (P= 0.0204) and (5-6 vs 7-8) (P= 0.0250).. This study demonstrated that gravidity had little or no effect on the biochemical parameters but increases the HDL cholesterol level in normotensive pregnant women.