Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that can affect a woman's health even after her baby is born. Women who have had preeclampsia are more likely to develop high blood pressure and heart disease later in life.

But are some women at a higher risk than others?

Researchers in Denmark wanted to learn which women were more likely to develop heart problems after having preeclampsia. They studied the health records of 17,434 women who had preeclampsia during their first pregnancy. The women gave birth between 2004 and 2018, and researchers followed their health through 2022.

The goal was to find out which health and personal factors were linked to a higher risk of heart disease and long-term high blood pressure.

Researchers found that 2,372 women developed long-term high blood pressure, and 373 women developed heart disease during the study.

They also found several factors that were linked to a higher risk of future health problems:

• Preeclampsia before 34 weeks: Women who developed preeclampsia earlier in pregnancy had a higher risk of heart disease and high blood pressure later in life.
• Smoking during pregnancy: Women who smoked while pregnant had a higher risk of future heart problems.
• Diabetes: Women who had diabetes before or during pregnancy were more likely to develop heart disease or high blood pressure later.
• Higher body weight: Women with a higher body mass index (BMI) had a greater risk of future health problems.
• Older age: Women who were over 40 when they gave birth had a higher risk of heart problems later in life.
• Education and background: Researchers also found differences in risk based on education level and where women came from.

These findings show that some women who have had preeclampsia may need more attention to their heart health than others. For women who have had preeclampsia, these results are an important reminder that health care should not stop after pregnancy. Knowing your risk factors can help you and your healthcare provider make a plan to protect your health. This may include checking your blood pressure regularly, staying active, eating healthy foods, managing diabetes, and avoiding smoking. It is also important to tell your healthcare provider if you have had preeclampsia, even if it happened many years ago.

Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean you will develop heart disease. However, knowing your risks can help you take steps to lower your chances of having health problems in the future.

Take-Home Message

Women who have had preeclampsia have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease later in life. However, some women have a greater risk than others.

This study found that developing preeclampsia before 34 weeks, smoking during pregnancy, having diabetes, having a higher BMI, and being over 40 at delivery were linked to a greater risk of future heart problems.

The most important message is that your health still matters long after pregnancy. Knowing your history of preeclampsia and talking with your healthcare provider about your heart health can help you take steps to protect yourself for years to come. Learn more by visiting Preeclampsia: Beyond Pregnancy.

Citations

Nielsen H, Petersen GB, Hauge MG, et al. Chronic hypertension and cardiovascular disease after preeclampsia: a Danish nationwide register-based cohort study identifying women at high risk. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwag507.