Preeclampsia in Pregnancy: Cardiovascular Risk

According to Dr. Michael Paidas from Yale University, a study from Denmark, done over a thirty year period, suggests that pregnant women who experienced preeclampsia or toxemia during pregnancy were at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular problems or diabetes type II, in the future.

The study indicated that these same pregnant women were six times more likely to experience or develop chronic hypertension as opposed to those with normal pregnancies. The risk was even greater for those that had additional pregnancies with preeclampsia.

Dr. Lykke suggests some limitations of the study such as possible inaccuracy of some of the reported diagnoses. Both Drs. Lykke and Paidas indicated that medical personnel should consider a woman’s pregnancy history when determining her cardiovascular risks. Dr. Paidas suggested that the outcome of these findings may have implications for determining the use of hormonal therapy or contraception.