Major cause of pregnancy-related deaths in California is heart disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of women's pregnancy-related deaths in California - but nearly one-third could be prevented, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013.Maternal death rates have been increasing in California and the United States since the mid-1990s, according to statistics from the California Department of Public Health."Women who give birth are usually young and in good health," said Afshan B. Hameed, M.D.