Research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2025 suggested that higher blood levels of certain essential micronutrients—particularly copper, manganese, and vitamin B12—during pregnancy were associated with a lower risk of developing high blood pressure in midlife.
The findings, based on data from Project Viva, a longitudinal study of women and children in Massachusetts, showed that doubling blood levels of copper and manganese during pregnancy was associated with a 25% and 20% lower risk of developing high blood pressure in midlife, respectively.
Doubling blood levels of vitamin B12 during pregnancy was associated with reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 3.64 mm Hg and 2.52 mm Hg, respectively, approximately 18 years later. Most participants (95%) had vitamin B12 levels within the normal range. A mixture of copper, manganese, selenium, and zinc was also associated with lower blood pressure, with stronger associations observed at higher concentrations. In contrast, nonessential metals were not significantly associated with blood pressure.
The study included 493 participants who provided blood samples during early pregnancy. Blood pressure was measured between 2017 and 2021. High blood pressure was defined as systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg or greater, diastolic blood pressure of 80 mm Hg or greater, or use of antihypertensive medication.
“People are constantly exposed to heavy metals and trace elements, and much research has shown that exposure to those metals and elements may have an impact on cardiovascular health, especially hypertension,” said lead study author Mingyu Zhang, ScD, an epidemiologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, in a press release. He added that it is important to understand how levels of essential metals during pregnancy might influence blood pressure in midlife.
According to Zhang, although the findings suggest a potential protective role of certain micronutrients during pregnancy, the study did not quantify sources of exposure and should not be interpreted as a recommendation for supplementation.
“More research, including clinical trials, is needed to determine the optimal dietary intake of these minerals and micronutrients,” Zhang said.
Researchers noted that the goal is to identify individuals at increased risk for midlife hypertension and explore nutritional interventions during pregnancy.
Full disclosures were reported in the manuscript.