HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IN PREGNANCY AND CORONARY CALCIFICATION: PP.2.61

Abstract

Objective: A considerable proportion of pregnant women develop high blood pressure in pregnancy. Although it is assumed that this condition subsides after pregnancy, many of these women develop the metabolic syndrome later in life and are at increased risk to develop coronary heart disease. Atherosclerosis development is considered in between risk factors and occurrence of vascular symptoms. We set out to cross-sectionally study the relation of high blood pressure during pregnancy with risk of coronary calcification. Design and Method: The study population comprised 491 healthy postmenopausal women selected from a population based cohort study. Information on high blood pressure during pregnancy was obtained using a questionnaire. Between 2004 and 2005, the women underwent a Multi Detector Computed Tomography (Philips Mx 8000 IDT 16) to assess coronary calcium. The Agatston score, volume and mass measurements were used to quantify coronary calcium. Results: 30.7% of the women reported to have had high blood pressure in pregnancy. Body mass index (OR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.01, 1.09) and diastolic blood pressure (OR = 1.03, 95% CI 1.01, 1.05) were significantly related to a history high blood pressure in pregnancy. Age was significantly related to increased coronary calcification. Women with a history of high blood pressure during pregnancy had a 57% increased risk of having coronary calcification compared to those women without this condition (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.04, 2.37). After adjusting for age, the relation did not change (OR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.07, 2.53). Conclusions: We concluded that high blood pressure during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of coronary calcification later in life.