Prevention of cardiovascular risk in women who had hypertension during pregnancy after 36 weeks gestation

Hypertens Pregnancy. 2015 May;34(2):261-9. doi: 10.3109/10641955.2015.1009544. Epub 2015 Mar 27.

Abstract

Objective: To analyse preventive interventions of women with cardiovascular risk factors postpartum.

Methods: 3.5 years postpartum, women with history of hypertension in pregnancy were invited for a questionnaire, 1 year after a cardiovascular risk assessment.

Results: Two hundred and fifty-seven women completed the questionnaire. At risk factor analyses, 35% had hypertension, 37% abnormal lipid- or glucose levels, 63% BMI ≥ 25 and 19% smoked. One year later, 36% of women with hypertension used anti-hypertensives, 0% of women with abnormal laboratory findings used anti-cholesterol and 1% anti-diabetes medication, 31% of the obese women achieved BMI reduction (≥ 5%), 42% of the women who smoked, quit.

Conclusion: A minority improved their risk profile.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Hypertension; Lifestyle; Preeclampsia; Prevention.

MeSH terms

  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / drug therapy*
  • Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / epidemiology
  • Obesity / complications
  • Postpartum Period* / blood
  • Pregnancy
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk Reduction Behavior*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents