History Of Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders Research Articles

Prevention and Screening for Cardiometabolic Disease Following Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy in Low-Resource Settings: A Systematic Review and Delphi Study.

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) and cardiometabolic and kidney diseases are rising in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While HDP are risk factors for cardiometabolic and kidney diseases, cost-effective, scalable strategies for screening and prevention in women with a history of HDP are lacking. Existing guidelines and recommendations require adaptation to LMIC settings. This article aims to generate consensus-based recommendations for the prevention and screening of cardiometabolic and kidney diseases tailored for implementation in LMICs. We conducted a systematic review of guidelines and recommendations for prevention and screening strategies for cardiometabolic and chronic kidney diseases following HDP. We searched PubMed/Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library for relevant articles and guidelines published from 2010 to 2021 from both high-income countries (HICs) and LMICs. No other filters were applied. References of included articles were also assessed for eligibility. Findings were synthesized narratively. The summary of guiding recommendations was subjected to two rounds of Delphi consensus surveys with experts experienced in LMIC settings. Fifty-four articles and 9 guidelines were identified, of which 25 were included. Thirty-five clinical recommendations were synthesized from these and classified into six domains: identification of women with HDP (4 recommendations), timing of first counseling and provision of health education (2 recommendations), structure and care setting (12 recommendations), information and communication needs (5 recommendations), cardiometabolic biomarkers (8 recommendations) and biomarkers thresholds (4 recommendations). The Delphi panel reached consensus on 33 final recommendations. These recommendations for health workers in LMICs provide practical and scalable approaches for effective screening and prevention of cardiometabolic disease following HDP. Monitoring and evaluation of implementation of these recommendations provide opportunities for reducing the escalating burden of noncommunicable diseases in LMICs.

Preeclampsia history and postpartum risk of cerebrovascular disease and cognitive impairment: Potential mechanisms.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, superimposed preeclampsia, and gestational hypertension are major causes of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders have increased risk of stroke and cognitive impairments later in life. Moreover, women with a history of preeclampsia have increased risk of mortality from diseases including stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and cardiovascular disease. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are currently not fully known. Here, we present clinical, epidemiological, and preclinical studies focused on evaluating the long-term cerebrovascular and cognitive dysfunction that affect women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders and discuss potential underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

HMOX1 Genetic Polymorphisms Display Ancestral Diversity and May Be Linked to Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy.

Racial disparity exists for hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP), which leads to disparate morbidity and mortality worldwide. The enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is encoded by HMOX1, which has genetic polymorphisms in its regulatory region that impact its expression and activity and have been associated with various diseases. However, studies of these genetic variants in HDP have been limited. The objective of this study was to examine HMOX1 as a potential genetic contributor of ancestral disparity seen in HDP. First, the 1000 Genomes Project (1KG) phase 3 was utilized to compare the frequencies of alleles, genotypes, and estimated haplotypes of guanidine thymidine repeats (GTn; containing rs3074372) and A/T SNP (rs2071746) among females from five ancestral populations (Africa, theAmericas, Europe, East Asia, and South Asia, N = 1271). Then, using genomic DNA from women with a history of HDP, we explored the possibility of HMOX1 variants predisposing women to HDP (N = 178) compared with an equivalent ancestral group from 1KG (N = 263). Both HMOX1 variants were distributed differently across ancestries, with African women having a distinct distribution and an overall higher prevalence of the variants previously associated with lower HO-1 expression. The two HMOX1 variants display linkage disequilibrium in all but the African group, and within EUR cohort, LL and AA individuals have a higher prevalence in HDP. HMOX1 variants demonstrate ancestral differences that may contribute to racial disparity in HDP. Understanding maternal genetic contribution to HDP will help improve prediction and facilitate personalized approaches to care for HDP.

P.016 Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are associated with future development of vascular dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: We aimed to evaluate the association between hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) and future risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. Methods: Systematic searches were performed in MEDLINE and EMBASE up to April 27th, 2020. Exposure of interest included the different types of HDP. Outcomes of interest included dementia incidence, dementia subtype, and cognitive testing. Results: On qualitative review, 4/9 studies showed impaired memory, visual motor processing speed, executive function, and verbal testing in previously preeclamptic women. 2/4 studies showed impaired visual motor processing and subjective cognitive complaints in previously eclamptic women. Six cohort studies involving >2.6 million women were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled hazard ratios (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals were generally adjusted for age at delivery ethnicity, and vascular risk factors. Women with a history of gestational hypertension were more likely to develop vascular dementia (aHR 2.02 [1.45-2.83],I2:0%), but not Alzheimer disease (1.24 [0.93-1.66],single-study). Women with a history of preeclampsia were also more likely to develop vascular dementia (2.17 [1.20-3.91],I2:61.1%), but not Alzheimer dementia (1.19 [0.83-1.69],I2:69.9%). Conclusions: Whereas studies of neuropsychological testing in previously preeclamptic and eclamptic women have been heterogeneous, a history of HDP is associated with developing vascular dementia in later life.

Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Hypertensive pregnancy disorders (HPDs) are associated with an increased risk of long-term cardiovascular disease. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) might be useful in the early detection of preclinical cardiac changes in women with HPDs. The aim of this study was to study whether STE is a suitable method to detect differences in cardiac function in pregnant women with HPD compared with normotensive pregnant women or between women with a history of a pregnancy complicated by HPD compared with women with a history of an uncomplicated pregnancy. The databases Medline, EMBASE, and Central were systematically searched for studies comparing cardiac function measured with STE in pregnant women with HPD or women with a history of HPD and women with a history of normotensive pregnancies. The search identified 16 studies, including 870 women with a history of HPD and 693 normotensive controls. Most studies during pregnancy (n = 12/13) found a decreased LV-GLS (left ventricular global longitudinal strain) in HPD compared with normotensive pregnant controls. LV-GRS (left ventricular global radial strain) and LV-GLCS (left ventricular global circumferential strain) are decreased in women with early-onset and severe preeclampsia. Women with a history of early-onset preeclampsia show lasting myocardial changes, with significantly decreased LV-GLS, LV-GLCS, and LV-GRS. LV-GLS is significantly decreased in pregnant women with HPD compared with normotensive pregnant women. Other deformation values show a significant decrease in women with severe or early-onset preeclampsia, with lasting myocardial changes after early-onset preeclampsia.

208. Risk of cardiovascular mortality in women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders: A nationwide cohort study

Introduction Hypertensive pregnancy disorders (HPD) are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life. Since hypertension in pregnancy occurs at a relatively young age this may signal an opportunity for preventive measure for CVD at a relative early age. This study investigated the relationship between HPD and cardiovascular mortality in a large national cohort. Methods Women who gave birth during 1995–2015 (registered in the Dutch National Birth Registry) were linked with the National Death Registry. The risk of cardiovascular mortality (CVM) after HPD was analyzed prospectively in two different cohorts: Women with a history of HDP in one or more pregnancies and HDP in the first pregnancy of the women. Cox-regression models with survival curves were executed. Results Of 1,625,246 parous women 21.9% had a history of HDP. Both gestational hypertension (GH; 18.1%) and preeclampsia (PE; 3.8%) were associated with a 2–3 times higher CVM risk compared to women without a history of HPD. Similar results were found in the cohort of 1,243,890 women whose first nulliparous pregnancy was analyzed. Women with HDP, delivery 110 mmHg had a 4.5-fold higher CVM-risk. Women were followed for a mean time of 10.4 years and died at a mean age of 40 years old. Conclusion Women with a history of HDP have a 2–3-fold times higher CVM risk. Cardiovascular mortality risk is present at a relatively young age (

Impact of a History of Hypertension in Pregnancy on Later Diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation.

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation/flutter (AF) produces significant morbidity in women and is typically attributed to cardiac remodeling from multiple causes, particularly hypertension. Hypertensive pregnancy disorders (HPDs) are associated with future hypertension and adverse cardiac remodeling. We evaluated whether women with AF were more likely to have experienced a HPD compared with those without.Methods and ResultsA nested case–control study was conducted within a cohort of 7566 women who had a live or stillbirth delivery in Olmsted County, Minnesota between 1976 and 1982. AF cases were matched (1:1) to controls based on date of birth, age at first pregnancy, and parity. AF and pregnancy history were confirmed by chart review. We identified 105 AF cases: mean age 57±8 (mean±SD) years, (controls 56±8 years), 32±8 years (controls 31±8 years) after the first pregnancy. Cases were more likely to have obesity during childbearing years, and hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, coronary disease, valvular disease, and heart failure at the time of AF diagnosis. Cases were more likely to have a history of HPDs, compared with controls: 28/105 (26.7%) cases versus 12/105 (11.4%) controls, odds ratio: 2.60 (95% confidence interval, 1.21–6.04). After adjustment for hypertension and obesity, the association was attenuated and no longer statistically significant; odds ratio (95% confidence interval, 2.12 (0.92–5.23).ConclusionsWomen with AF are more likely to have had a HPD, a relationship at least partially mediated by associated obesity and hypertension. Given the high morbidity of AF, studies evaluating the benefit of screening for and management of cardiovascular risk factors in women with a history of HPD should be performed.

Epidemiology of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy: prevalence, risk factors, predictors and prognosis

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) represent some of the most important problems faced by public health because HDP is a major cause of maternal and prenatal morbidity and mortality. Several epidemiological studies have been performed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of HDP as well as its subtypes. The prevalences of HDP, gestational hypertension and preeclampsia are 5.2-8.2%, 1.8-4.4% and 0.2-9.2%, respectively. Body mass index, anemia and lower education appear to be modifiable risk factors for HDP. Maternal age, primiparous, multiple pregnancy, HDP in previous pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, preexisting hypertension, preexisting type 2 diabetes mellitus, preexisting urinary tract infection and a family history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia appear to be nonmodifiable risk factors. Genetic variants including a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the angiotensinogen gene have also been reported to be nonmodifiable risk factors. Epidemiological studies have recently examined the associations between a history of HDP and its subtypes and future risks of other diseases. These studies have reported associations between a history of HDP and a risk of coronary heart disease, heart failure, dysrhythmia, stroke, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, end-stage renal dysfunction and cardiomyopathy. HDP is not associated with the future incidence of total cancer. In conclusion, HDP is not a rare complication of pregnancy and the influence of HDP remains for an extended duration. Physicians should consider the effects of HDP when treating chronic diseases in women.

Cerebrovascular Reactivity Is Reduced in Postmenopausal Women with a History of Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders

Women who have experienced hypertensive pregnancy disorders (HPD) are at an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease later in life, including fatal and non‐fatal stroke. Cerebrovascular reactivity is related to stroke in individuals with carotid artery disease, and it is possible that this measure may be altered in women with a history of HPD prior to overt cerebrovascular disease. It is unknown if cerebrovascular reactivity is altered in postmenopausal women decades after experiencing a hypertensive pregnancy. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine if cerebral blood flow velocity and cerebrovascular reactivity are altered in women with a history of HPD in comparison to women with no history of HPD. We studied a cohort of postmenopausal women approximately 35 years after they experienced an HPD (n=27, age at testing: 58±1) and a group of age‐ and parity‐matched women with no history of HPD (n=30, age at testing: 59±1). We measured middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv, via transcranial Doppler), continuous blood pressure (finger photoplethysmography), and end‐tidal CO2 (nasal cannula) in these women at baseline (room air) and during stepped hypercapnia at 2, 4, and 6% inhaled CO2 for 3 minutes at each condition. Women with a history of HPD had a higher body mass index than women without a history of HPD (29±1 vs. 26±1 kg/m2, respectively; p<0.05). At baseline and during 6% CO2, MCAv was lower in women with a history of HPD (baseline: 60±4 vs. 71±3 cm/s, respectively; 6% CO2: 82±6 vs. 99±5 cm/s, respectively; p<0.05 for both conditions) compared to women without a history of HPD. Cerebrovascular reactivity, the slope defining the association between MCAv and end‐tidal CO2 across the entire breathing trial, was also lower in women with a history of HPD (2.0±0.2 vs. 2.7±0.2 cm/s/mmHg, respectively; p<0.05). Body mass index was not correlated with MCAv or cerebrovascular reactivity in either group (p>0.05). In conclusion, resting MCAv and cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 is lower in women with a history of HPD in comparison with women who have never experienced HPD. Our findings suggest that HPD may have long‐term effects on cerebrovascular regulation in women who have suffered from these conditions.Support or Funding InformationNIH HL083947, NIA 1P50AG044170‐01, and CTSA UL1TR000135

O121. Maternal metabolic outcomes in women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders

Introduction Women with preeclampsia or pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) show metabolic aberrations during pregnancy similar to the metabolic syndrome. These women also are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Objective To assess whether women with preeclampsia or PIH have more unfavorable metabolic outcomes six years after pregnancy compared to normotensive women. Methods This study was embedded in the Generation R study, a population-based prospective cohort study. Information on pregnancy and metabolic outcomes six years after pregnancy was available in 4933 women. We measured total body and abdominal fat distribution, weight and plasma lipid concentrations (total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides, Apolipoprotein-B (Apo-B), lipoprotein (a) (lp-a)). Results Compared with normotensive women, women with PIH had higher Apo-B (0.05g/l; 95%CI 0.02, 0.08), LDL-c (0.13 mmol/l; 95%CI 0.04, 0.22), triglyceride (0.11 mmol/l; 95%CI 0.01, 0.21) and total cholesterol concentrations (0.15 mmol/l; 95%CI 0.02, 0.29) and lower HDL-c concentrations (−0.06 mmol/l; 95%CI −0.11, −0.01). No differences were observed in lipid concentrations between normotensive and preeclamptic women. Women with PIH or preeclampsia both had higher body fat percentages (0.03%; 95%CI 0.02, 0.04 and 0.02%; 0.00, 0.04), higher BMI (3.6 kg/m2; 95%CI 2.9, 4.2 and 2.4 kg/m2; 1.4, 3.4, respectively) and increased risk of clustering of metabolic risk factors (OR 2.2; 95%CI 1.4, 3.3 and OR 2.3; 95%CI 1.3, 4.3, respectively) compared with normotensive women. These associations attenuated after adjustment for maternal weight gain after pregnancy. Early pregnancy weight seems to be a predictor for these unfavorable outcomes (figure). Conclusion Hypertensive pregnancy disorders, especially PIH, were associated with adverse metabolic outcomes and an increased risk of clustering of metabolic risk factors six years after pregnancy compared to normotensive women. We therefore advise to perform regular metabolic check-up on these women after delivery. Download : Download full-size image

Homocysteinemia After Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders at Term.

Results from a number of long-term follow-up studies have suggested that hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. More recently, this putative relationship has been substantiated with findings of elevated cardiovascular risk factors, such as lipid profiles and glucose, in women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders. Homocysteine is a sensitive indicator of increased risk but data on homocysteine levels in women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders are inconsistent. This cohort study included 279 women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders at term and 85 women with a history of uncomplicated pregnancies who participated in the Hypitat Risk Assessment Study (HyRAS). Blood samples for total homocysteine determination were taken 2.5 years postpartum. Homocysteine levels were determined in plasma using an immunoassay. Women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders had significant higher median homocysteine levels (10.66 μmol/L) 2.5 years postpartum compared with women with a history uncomplicated pregnancies (9.82 μmol/L; p=0.002). Women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders had a higher risk of having a homocysteine level in the highest quartile (odds ratio 3.4, 95% confidence interval 1.5-7.6). At 2.5 years postpartum, women with a history hypertensive pregnancy disorders had higher homocysteine levels than women who had uncomplicated pregnancies. Although higher homocysteine levels might be a potential link between a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders and increased cardiovascular disease risk later in life, the clinical implications remain an area for future research.

Systematic review and metaanalysis on nonclassic cardiovascular biomarkers after hypertensive pregnancy disorders

The aim of this study was to investigate which nonclassic cardiovascular biomarkers are associated with persistent endothelial dysfunction after pregnancy in women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders compared with women with uncomplicated pregnancies. This was a systematic review and metaanalysis of observational studies. A search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Cinahl including articles from inception to Feb. 27, 2013. Included were cohort studies and case-control studies. Cases were women with a history of hypertension in pregnancy, control subjects were women with a history of uncomplicated pregnancies. Of the 3136 found, 21 studies on 16 nonclassic cardiovascular biomarkers are described in this review; 12 studies on 5 biomarkers were included in the metaanalysis. Women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders had a higher homocysteine level compared with women with a history of uncomplicated pregnancies (5 studies; pooled mean difference, 0.77 ng/mL; 95% confidence interval, 0.27-1.26; P < .01). For the other nonclassic cardiovascular biomarkers including markers in areas of inflammation, thrombosis, and angiogenesis, we found no significant differences. This review and metaanalysis showed that women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders have higher homocysteine levels compared with women with a history of uncomplicated pregnancies. These data suggest persistent endothelial alteration after pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders.

Hypertension in pregnancy is associated with elevated C-reactive protein levels later in life

We assessed whether hypertension in pregnancy is associated with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in later life, possibly reflecting an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Elevated CRP levels have been associated with hypertension in pregnancy and with CVD. We studied 2463 women from the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (GENOA) study. Participants were categorized as nulliparous women (n = 219), women with a history of normotensive pregnancies (n = 1839), or women with a history of a hypertensive pregnancy (n = 405). Using multiple linear regression models, we compared mean CRP levels among the groups after adjusting for age, race, education, smoking, hypertension, personal history of coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke, diabetes, dyslipidemia, statins, hormone replacement therapy, and family history of CHD or stroke. As CRP levels may be influenced by BMI, the model was fit both with and without adjusting for BMI. There was no significant difference in CRP levels between nulliparous women and those with a history of normotensive pregnancies, either with (P = 0.82) or without (P = 0.46) adjusting for BMI. In contrast, women with hypertensive pregnancies, compared with those with normotensive pregnancies, had higher CRP levels, both with (P = 0.009) and without (P < 0.001) adjusting for BMI. A history of hypertension in pregnancy is associated with elevated CRP levels later in life, independent of traditional CVD risk factors and BMI. An elevated CRP may reflect an inflammatory state in women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders who are at increased risk for CVD.

The Treatment of Hypertension During Pregnancy: When Should Blood Pressure Medications Be Started?

Hypertensive pregnancy disorders (HPD) are important causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. In addition, a history of HPD has been associated with an increased risk for maternal cardiovascular disease later in life, possibly because of irreversible vascular and metabolic changes that persist beyond the affected pregnancies. Therefore, treatment of HPD may not only improve immediate pregnancy outcomes, but also maternal long-term cardiovascular health. Unlike the recommendations for hypertension treatment in the general population, treatment recommendations for HPD have not changed substantially for more than 2 decades. This is particularly true for mild to moderate hypertension in pregnancy, defined as a blood pressure of 140-159/90-109 mm Hg. This review focuses on the goals of therapy, treatment strategies, and new developments in the field of HPD that should be taken into account when considering blood pressure targets and pharmacologic options for treatment of hypertension in pregnant women.

Cardiovascular risk estimation in women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders at term: a longitudinal follow-up study

BackgroundCardiovascular disease is associated with major morbidity and mortality in women in the Western world. Prediction of an individual cardiovascular disease risk in young women is difficult. It is known that women with hypertensive pregnancy complications have an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease in later life and pregnancy might be used as a cardiovascular stress test to identify women who are at high risk for cardiovascular disease. In this study we assess the possibility of long term cardiovascular risk prediction in women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders at term.MethodsIn a longitudinal follow-up study, between June 2008 and November 2010, 300 women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders at term (HTP cohort) and 94 women with a history of normotensive pregnancies at term (NTP cohort) were included. From the cardiovascular risk status that was known two years after index pregnancy we calculated individual (extrapolated) 10-and 30-year cardiovascular event risks using four different risk prediction models including the Framingham risk score, the SCORE score and the Reynolds risk score. Continuous data were analyzed using the Student’s T test and Mann–Whitney U test and categorical data by the Chi-squared test. A poisson regression analysis was performed to calculate the incidence risk ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals for the different cardiovascular risk estimation categories.ResultsAfter a mean follow-up of 2.5 years, HTP women had significantly higher mean (SD) extrapolated 10-year cardiovascular event risks (HTP 7.2% (3.7); NTP 4.4% (1.9) (p<.001, IRR 5.8, 95% CI 1.9 to 19)) and 30-year cardiovascular event risks (HTP 11% (7.6); NTP 7.3% (3.5) (p<.001, IRR 2.7, 95% CI 1.6 to 4.5)) as compared to NTP women calculated by the Framingham risk scores. The SCORE score and the Reynolds risk score showed similar significant results.ConclusionsWomen with a history of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia at term have higher predicted (extrapolated) 10-year and 30-year cardiovascular event risks as compared to women with a history of uncomplicated pregnancies. Further large prospective studies have to evaluate whether hypertensive pregnancy disorders have to be included as an independent variable in cardiovascular risk prediction models for women.

Longitudinal analysis of cardiovascular risk parameters in women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders: the Doetinchem Cohort Study

Women with hypertensive pregnancy disorders (HPD) are at increased risk of developing hypertension and cardiovascular disease later in life; however, it is not known how cardiovascular risk develops throughout life. We evaluated the longitudinal trends in cardiovascular risk factors in women after hypertensive pregnancy disorders compared with women with normotensive pregnancies. All women of the Doetinchem Cohort Study (1987-91), a population-based cohort study, were included. Women were examined (questionnaires and physical examination) four times at 5-year intervals. History of HPD was assessed from questionnaires. We compared 5-year changes in risk factors between women with and without HPD, by analysing longitudinal trends using generalised estimating equation analysis to estimate the effects of HPD and mean age, adjusting for treatment, body mass index (BMI), smoking and socio-economic status. Change over time in traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), BMI, total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol for women with and without a history of HPD. A total of 2703 women with normotensive pregnancies (mean age 40.5 years, SD 10.4) and 689 women with a history of HPD (mean age 38.4 years, SD 9.5) were included. Compared with normotensive women, in women with a history of HPD, SBP was 2.8 mmHg higher (95% CI 1.7-3.9), DBP was 2.3 mmHg higher (95% CI 1.6-3.0) and BMI was 0.7 kg/m(2) higher (95% CI 0.4-1.1). Total cholesterol (-0.05; 95% CI -0.1 to 0.0) and HDL cholesterol (0.02; 95% CI -0.0 to 0.1) were similar in both groups. No difference in annual change in blood pressure or in the other risk factors was observed between women with and without a history of HPD. Women with a history of HPD have higher levels of SBP, DBP and BMI compared with normotensive women, but the increase with ageing is similar in both groups.

Is It Time to Screen Women with History of Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders for Diabetes?

Thach Tran discusses a new research article on whether preeclampsia is associated with future diabetes, and discusses whether women with a history of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy should be screened for diabetes.

Hypertensive pregnancy disorders as a risk factor for future cardiovascular and metabolic disorders (Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study)

Although hypertensive pregnancy disorders (HPD) are common worldwide, there is no consensus regarding their long-term cardiovascular and metabolic consequences. We aimed to ascertain the association between HPD and the development of cardiovascular and metabolic disturbances later in life. A cohort of 226 women with a history of HPD was selected as the case group, and a group of 226 age- and body-mass-index-matched women, with no history of HPD, was selected as controls. Both groups were selected from among participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study and were compared for concentrations of metabolic parameters and incidence of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and dyslipidemia over a follow up of 10 years. Women with a history of HPD, compared with age- and body-mass-index-matched women without such a history, had an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, including a twofold increased risk for hypertension (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-3.2), a threefold increased risk for T2DM (95% CI: 1.8-5.2) and a 1.3-fold increased risk for dyslipidemia (95% CI: 1.2-1.5). Women with a history of hypertension in pregnancy are at increased risk for subsequent diagnosis of hypertension, dyslipidemia and T2DM later in life. These women may benefit from close monitoring and timely implementation of primary prevention measures of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors and lifestyle modifications.

Cardiovascular risk factors in women who had hypertensive disorders late in pregnancy: a cohort study

The purpose of this study was to determine cardiovascular risk factors in women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders at term (HTP) 2.5 years after pregnancy. In a multicenter cohort study in The Netherlands from June 2008 through November 2010, cardiovascular risk factors were compared between women with a history of HTP (HTP cohort, n = 306) and women with a history of normotensive pregnancies at term (NTP cohort, n = 99). HTP women had participated in a randomized, longitudinal trial assessing the effectiveness of induction of labor in women with hypertensive pregnancy disorders at term. All women were assessed 2.5 years after pregnancy for blood pressure, anthropometrics, glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin, homeostatic model assessment score, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and microalbumin and metabolic syndrome. After a mean follow-up period of 2.5 years, hypertension (HTP, 34%; NTP, 1%; P < .001) and metabolic syndrome (HTP, 25%; NTP, 5%; P < .001) were more prevalent in HTP women compared with NTP women. HTP women had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, higher body mass index, and higher waist circumference. Glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin, homeostatic model assessment score, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower in HTP women. In women with a history of HTP, hypertension and metabolic syndrome are more common, and they have higher levels of biochemical cardiovascular risk factors 2.5 years after pregnancy.

Biochemical Cardiovascular Risk Factors After Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders

The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies assessing biochemical cardiovascular risk factors in women with previous hypertensive pregnancy disorders and women with previous normotensive pregnancies. Data were collected from PubMed and EMBASE (from inception to February 28, 2011) supplemented by manual searches of bibliographies. Included were cohort studies and case-control studies assessing biochemical cardiovascular risk factors in women with previous hypertensive pregnancy disorders compared with women with previous normotensive pregnancies. Of 2573 studies reviewed for eligibility, quality, and data extraction, 22 were included in the review, of which 15 could be meta-analyzed. The pooled mean differences for the outcomes of interest were 0.17 mmol/L (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08-0.25 mmol/L) for glucose (10 studies), 3.46 mU/mL (95% CI, 2.34-4.58 mU/mL) for insulin (5 studies), 0.13 mmol/L (95% CI, 0.05-0.21) for triglycerides (10 studies), 0.22 mmol/L (95% CI, 0.11-0.33 mmol/L) for total cholesterol (11 studies), -0.11 mmol/L (95% CI, -0.18 to -0.04 mmol/L) for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (10 studies), and 0.21 mmol/L (95% CI, 0.10-0.32) for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (9 studies), all in the disadvantage in women with previous hypertensive pregnancy disorders. Analyses for preeclampsia alone showed similar results.After completing this CME activity, physicians should be better able to assess the long-term cardiovascular consequences after hypertensive pregnancy disorders, evaluate and interpret the evidence regarding biochemical cardiovascular risk factor assessment after pregnancy, and counsel women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy disorders as to the effectiveness of cardiovascular risk factor assessment in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.Women with previous hypertensive pregnancy disorders have higher glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels measured after pregnancy compared with women with previous normotensive pregnancies. These biochemical cardiovascular risk factors may identify women who will benefit from primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians.