High blood pressure disorders during pregnancy, including preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, are common complications that affect approximately 5–10% of pregnancies. Although these conditions usually resolve after delivery, growing evidence suggests that they may have lasting effects on a woman's heart and blood vessels. In this study, researchers examined whether different types of pregnancy-related hypertension carry different risks for future cardiovascular disease.

The researchers analyzed health records from more than 570,000 women in South Korea who delivered between 2010 and 2018. They followed these women for an average of six and a half years after pregnancy and looked for major cardiovascular outcomes, including heart failure, heart attack, stroke, irregular heart rhythms, and cardiovascular death. Women were divided into different groups based on the type of hypertensive disorder they experienced during pregnancy.

The results showed that women who experienced any type of hypertensive disorder during pregnancy had a significantly higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life compared with women who had normal blood pressure during pregnancy. Women with hypertensive disorders experienced approximately twice as many cardiovascular events over time. The greatest risk was observed among women with superimposed preeclampsia, which occurs when preeclampsia develops in someone who already has chronic hypertension. These women had nearly three times the risk of future cardiovascular disease.

The study also found that all types of hypertensive disorders were associated with higher risks of heart failure and stroke. Some forms were additionally linked to heart attacks and irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation. These findings suggest that pregnancy complications may reveal underlying cardiovascular vulnerabilities long before traditional heart disease symptoms appear.

For patients, this research highlights that pregnancy can act as an important "stress test" for future health. Experiencing high blood pressure during pregnancy may provide an early opportunity for doctors to identify women who could benefit from closer cardiovascular monitoring, lifestyle interventions, and preventive care after delivery.

Take Home Message: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy should not be viewed as conditions that end at delivery. Women who experience these complications, particularly superimposed preeclampsia, face increased risks of cardiovascular disease years later. Additional research is needed in the U.S. and South Korea to determine the most effective strategies for long-term screening and prevention of cardiovascular disease. If you had high blood pressure during pregnancy, notify your healthcare providers. It can give your care team a valuable heads-up to watch your heart health more closely, encourage healthy habits, and catch problems earlier.

Citation: Kwak S, Park CS, Park Y, Rhee TM, Lee H, Kim HK, Kim YJ, Han K, Park JB. Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy Subtypes and Long-Term Cardiovascular Risk. JAMA Intern Med. 2026 Apr 1;186(4):469-478. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.7802. PMID: 41627823; PMCID: PMC12865697. Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy Subtypes and Long-Term Cardiovascular Risk - PubMed