A meta-analysis of 8 studies involving over 1 million mothers revealed that those who breastfed their babies had an 11% to 17% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease (CHD), or stroke, and of death from CVD, later in life, compared to mothers who did not breastfeed their children. 

On average, the women had two children and breastfed for 15.9 months. Longer duration of breastfeeding was tied to greater CV health benefit. Women who had breastfed their children at any time had an 11% lower risk for CVD, 12% lower risk for stroke, 14% lower risk for CHD, and 17% lower risk of death due to CVD in later life, compared with other mothers.

The meta-analysis was published online in the Journal of the American Heart Association… (Medscape)