Mercy Cardiologist Dr. Tomas Ayala Discusses Role Breastfeeding May Have in Reducing Heart Disease

It's widely known that breastfeeding can be beneficial for a baby's health, but now doctors are learning breastfeeding is also good for the mother's heart.

Ashley Brown enjoys breastfeeding her newborn son, Justin. It's a special experience for both of them.

"I love the bond that we share. It's a wonderful thing to be able to do with him, mostly because of all the health benefits he gets from it," Brown said.

There are also plenty of health benefits for Brown, such as warding off both postpartum depression and certain cancers. Now, doctors are finding breastfeeding can reduce a woman's risk of heart disease.

"There's a new study that has shown that in women who breastfeed, they reduce their later risk of heart disease, and the longer they breast feed, the lower the risk later in life," said Tomas H. Ayala, M.D., FACC, a general cardiologist in Baltimore, who  sees patients at The Heart Center at Reisterstown, a satellite location of The Heart Center at Mercy. Researchers are not exactly sure why.

"We're not entirely sure. We think it may have to do with hormone changes that occur as a result of breastfeeding, but more research needs to happen," Dr. Ayala said.

According to Mercy lactation specialist Deedra Franke, the benefit to a mother's heart health is just one reason to breastfeed, among many.

"There are major benefits, not just cardiovascular, but it decreases the mother's risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer. It helps bring down her body weight, which will help her in the long term as well," Franke said.

For Brown, she doesn't need much convincing. She plans to breastfeed Justin for as long as she can. And the cardiovascular benefits?

"That is like an added bonus. I will take everything I can get," Brown said.

To view Mercy cardiologist Dr. Tomas Ayala’s interview regarding breastfeeding and reducing heart disease risk, click here.