The following statement is from ACC President Edward T. A. Fry, MD, FACC, and ACC Past Presidents Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, MACC; Athena Poppas, MD, MACC; Richard J. Kovacs, MD, MACC; C. Michael Valentine, MD, MACC; and Mary Norine Walsh, MD, MACC.

The ACC has long advocated for patients engaging with their doctor and cardiovascular care team about their heart health and related risks. Shared decision-making is an essential tool in helping to navigate the risks and benefits of all treatment options, taking into account the latest science and medical evidence, social determinants of health, emphasis on health equity, and the patient’s own beliefs and goals.

While the ACC has no official policy on abortion, clinical practice guidelines and other clinical guidance tools address the dangers of pregnancy in certain patient populations at higher risk of death or serious cardiac events. As such, the College is deeply concerned about the potential implications of the Supreme Court decision regarding Roe vs. Wade on the ability of patients and clinicians to engage in important shared discussions about maternal health, or to remove previously available health care options, especially given the alarming maternal health crisis in the U.S.

Similar to topics like gun violence that impact the broader medical community and the patients we serve, the ACC will continue to work with the larger House of Medicine to address specific laws and policies as they move forward that would threaten or criminalize patient-clinician discussions regarding maternal cardiovascular care.

Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Policy, Patient Care Team, Risk Assessment, Social Determinants of Health, Maternal Health, Health Equity, Gun Violence, Goals, Supreme Court Decisions, Pregnancy

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