cardiovascular risk in women who have had a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (hypertension in pregnancy)

Last edited 08/2019 and last reviewed 10/2023

Cardiovascular risk in women who have had a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy

Type of hypertension in current or previous pregnancy

Risk of future cardiovascular disease (a), (b) Any hypertension in pregnancy Pre-eclampsia Gestational hypertension Chronic hypertension
Major adverse cardiovascular event Risk increased (up to approximately 2 times) Risk increased (approximately 1.5-3 times) Risk increased (approximately 1.5-3 times) Risk increased (approximately 1.7 times)
Cardiovascular mortality Risk increased (up to approximately 2 times) Risk increased (approximately 2 times) (no data) (no data)
Stroke Risk increased (up to approximately 1.5 times) Risk increased (approximately 2-3 times) Risk may be increased Risk increased (approximately 1.8 times)
Hypertension Risk increased (approximately 2-4 times) Risk increased (approximately 2-5 times) Risk increased (approximately 2-4 times) Not applicable

(a) Risks described are overall estimates, summarised from risk ratios, odds ratios and hazard ratios.

(b) Increased risk is compared to the background risk in women who did not have hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Absolute risks are not reported, because these will vary considerably, depending on the follow-up time (range from 1 to 40 years postpartum).

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