Key result
Prior preeclampsia linked to a ~216% higher risk of chronic hypertension at five years postpartum.
Why the study?
Preeclampsia is a recognized risk factor for future cardiovascular disease, but prospective data on long-term cardiovascular trajectories in populations such as Ghana are scarce.
Does a history of preeclampsia increase the risk of chronic hypertension and adverse cardiovascular remodelling in Ghanaian women at 5 years postpartum?
Cohort (n=426)
No
Does a history of preeclampsia increase the risk of chronic hypertension and adverse cardiovascular remodelling in Ghanaian women at 5 years postpartum?
Absolute Event Rate: 38.2% vs 12.1%
p-value: p=<0.001
A history of preeclampsia is associated with a substantially elevated risk of chronic hypertension and adverse cardiovascular remodelling within five years postpartum in Ghanaian women, highlighting the need for targeted surveillance.
**Abstract** Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa and a recognised risk factor for future cardiovascular disease. However, prospective data on the long-term cardiovascular trajectories of affected women in populations such as Ghana are scarce. This prospective cohort study aimed to determine the incidence of long-term maternal cardiovascular sequelae in Ghanaian women with a history of preeclampsia and compare their cardiovascular risk profiles to women with prior normotensive pregnancies. Participants were enrolled at delivery from a tertiary hospital in Accra and followed annually for five years. A comparison cohort with normotensive pregnancies was similarly followed. Assessments comprised annual clinical evaluations, blood pressure monitoring, and metabolic and echocardiographic analyses at the five-year endpoint. Women with prior preeclampsia demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of chronic hypertension (38.2% vs. 12.1%) and metabolic syndrome compared to the normotensive group. They also exhibited higher mean arterial pressures and increased left ventricular mass indices. This study provides robust, prospective evidence that a history of preeclampsia is associated with a substantially elevated risk of chronic hypertension and adverse cardiovascular remodelling within five years postpartum in a Ghanaian population. These findings identify this group as requiring targeted, long-term cardiovascular surveillance to mitigate future disease risk. **Keywords:** Preeclampsia, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cohort study, maternal health, Ghana, sub-Saharan Africa
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
K. Asante (2020) conducted a cohort in Ghanaian women with a history of preeclampsia or normotensive pregnancies at delivery, followed for 5 years postpartum (n=426). History of preeclampsia vs. History of normotensive pregnancy was evaluated on Composite of major adverse cardiovascular events including chronic hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, or stroke within 5 years postpartum (p=<0.001). A history of preeclampsia increased chronic hypertension prevalence to 38.2% vs 12.1% in normotensive women within five years postpartum in Ghanaian women.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: