Maturitas
Volume 67, Issue 4 , Pages 321-326, December 2010

Preeclampsia as a female-specific risk factor for chronic hypertension

  • José T. Drost

      Affiliations

    • Isala Klinieken, Department of Cardiology, Zwolle, The Netherlands
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author at: Department of Cardiology, PO Box 10500, 8000 GM Zwolle, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 38 4242198; fax: +31 38 4243222.
    • ,
  • Angela H.E.M. Maas

      Affiliations

    • Isala Klinieken, Department of Cardiology, Zwolle, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • Jim van Eyck

      Affiliations

    • Isala Klinieken, Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Zwolle, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • Yvonne T. van der Schouw

      Affiliations

    • Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Received 26 May 2010; received in revised form 4 August 2010; accepted 10 August 2010. published online 23 August 2010.

Abstract 

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that has also long term effects on maternal health. Several epidemiologic studies have shown an increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity (relative risk [RR] 2.3) and mortality (RR 2.3) in women after a history of preeclampsia. The chance to develop chronic hypertension afterwards is twofold to 10 times higher in affected women, compared with women after normotensive pregnancies. As hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk factor, early detection and treatment is mandatory to reduce the risk of future cardiovascular disease. Data on (cost)-effectiveness of cardiovascular screening programs in women after preeclampsia are currently lacking and there are no recommendations yet for prevention in the guidelines. We recommend regularly preventive blood pressure measurements after high risk pregnancies. More research is needed to identify women who will profit most of early intervention.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, Hypertension, Preeclampsia, Risk factors, Women

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PII: S0378-5122(10)00315-4

doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2010.08.002

Maturitas
Volume 67, Issue 4 , Pages 321-326, December 2010

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