Key result
Women who experienced one preeclamptic pregnancy had a significantly increased long-term risk of cardiovascular disease (HR 1.29) and chronic hypertension (HR 4.13) compared to unexposed women.
Why the study?
Preeclampsia occurs in up to 15% of pregnancies and constitutes a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, prompting examination of its association with cardiovascular outcomes and postpartum primary and specialized care utilization.
Does preeclampsia increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension in women after delivery?
Cohort (n=181,574)
Does preeclampsia increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension in women after delivery?
Hazard Ratio: 1.29 (95% CI 1.181–1.405)
Absolute Event Rate: 2.95% vs 2.03%
p-value: p=<0.001
Preeclampsia, particularly when recurrent, is associated with a significantly increased long-term risk of maternal cardiovascular disease and hypertension, though postpartum cardiology follow-up remains rare.
Preeclampsia history may warrant closer postpartum CV monitoring; leaves open optimal screening or intervention strategies.
PURPOSE: Preeclampsia occurs in up to 15% of pregnancies and constitutes a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This observational cohort study aimed to examine the association between preeclamptic pregnancies and cardiovascular outcomes as well as primary and specialized care utilization after delivery. METHODS: Using statutory claims data we identified women with singleton live births between 2010 and 2017. Main outcomes included the occurrence of either hypertension or cardiovascular disease after one or more preeclamptic pregnancies, number of contacts to a general practitioner or cardiologist after delivery and prescribed antihypertensive medication. Data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard regression models adjusted for maternal age, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 181,574 women with 240,698 births. Women who experienced preeclampsia once had an increased risk for cardiovascular (hazard ratio, HR = 1.29) or hypertensive (HR = 4.13) events. In women affected by recurrent preeclampsia, risks were even higher to develop cardiovascular disease (HR = 1.53) or hypertension (HR = 6.01). In the following years after delivery, general practitioners were seen frequently, whereas cardiologists were consulted rarely (0.3 and 2.4%). CONCLUSION: Women affected by preeclampsia experience an increased risk of developing chronic hypertension and cardiovascular disease, especially those with recurrent preeclampsia. Future medical guidelines should take this potential risk into account.
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Haßdenteufel et al. (2022) conducted a cohort in Preeclampsia (n=181,574). Preeclampsia vs. No preeclampsia was evaluated on Cardiovascular disease (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.181-1.405, p=<0.001). Women who experienced one preeclamptic pregnancy had a significantly increased long-term risk of cardiovascular disease (HR 1.29) and chronic hypertension (HR 4.13) compared to unexposed women.
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