News | Study Examines the Link Between Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Cardiovascular Disease
A recent study from the University of Bergen identified an association between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the association does not apply to everyone.
During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes many significant changes. The entire cardiovascular system adapts to sustain another life in the uterus. The heart beats faster, and total blood volume doubles. The mother also develops an entirely new organ—the placenta—to nourish and protect the developing baby. These changes are normal, healthy, and safe.
However, in 5% to 10% of pregnant women, these physiological changes and/or placental problems such as preeclampsia can cause cardiovascular complications. These conditions are collectively known as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP).
Some conditions are relatively mild, such as gestational hypertension, while others are true emergencies involving liver failure, kidney failure, and seizures. These conditions are believed to share a common cause but vary in severity.
Study findings
Sage Wyatt, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Bergen, participated in the university's HealthierWomen project. The project examines relationships between women's lifetime reproductive histories and later health. Wyatt specifically studied how HDP predicts stroke and heart attack in later life.
With appropriate medical care, death during childbirth is extremely rare among patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. However, many develop heart disease decades later. In other words, complications during pregnancy can signal future health risks.
Wyatt said, "One hypothesis is that HDP reveals underlying chronic cardiovascular disease during the 'stress test' of pregnancy."
Data and findings
Previous research focused mainly on the relationship between HDP in a single pregnancy and the long-term risk of heart disease and stroke. Wyatt's study took a more comprehensive approach, considering the sequence and severity of HDP across all of a person's pregnancies.
By analyzing data from Norway's mandatory birth registry and public health care system, researchers found that previous studies estimated HDP doubled the risk of heart disease and stroke, while Wyatt's study found that risk in some people was nearly ten times higher than earlier estimates.
Specific conclusions
Wyatt said, "Those at high risk had hypertensive disorders in multiple pregnancies and delivered preterm, which may indicate more severe disease."
The study also found that some reproductive histories involving HDP were not associated with heart disease and stroke. Wyatt said, "Those with low or no increased risk had HDP in their first pregnancy, delivered at term without severe complications or medical intervention, and had healthy subsequent pregnancies."
Wyatt concluded, "Our research adds nuance to the understanding of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Some may be associated with cardiovascular disease, while others may have different causes. This highlights the need for more research tailored to each pregnant woman's unique experience."
News | Study Examines the Link Between Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Cardiovascular Disease
News | Study Examines the Link Between Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Cardiovascular Disease
A recent study from the University of Bergen identified an association between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the association does not apply to everyone.
During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes many significant changes. The entire cardiovascular system adapts to sustain another life in the uterus. The heart beats faster, and total blood volume doubles. The mother also develops an entirely new organ—the placenta—to nourish and protect the developing baby. These changes are normal, healthy, and safe.
However, in 5% to 10% of pregnant women, these physiological changes and/or placental problems such as preeclampsia can cause cardiovascular complications. These conditions are collectively known as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP).
Some conditions are relatively mild, such as gestational hypertension, while others are true emergencies involving liver failure, kidney failure, and seizures. These conditions are believed to share a common cause but vary in severity.
Study findings
Sage Wyatt, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Bergen, participated in the university's HealthierWomen project. The project examines relationships between women's lifetime reproductive histories and later health. Wyatt specifically studied how HDP predicts stroke and heart attack in later life.
With appropriate medical care, death during childbirth is extremely rare among patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. However, many develop heart disease decades later. In other words, complications during pregnancy can signal future health risks.
Wyatt said, "One hypothesis is that HDP reveals underlying chronic cardiovascular disease during the 'stress test' of pregnancy."
Data and findings
Previous research focused mainly on the relationship between HDP in a single pregnancy and the long-term risk of heart disease and stroke. Wyatt's study took a more comprehensive approach, considering the sequence and severity of HDP across all of a person's pregnancies.
By analyzing data from Norway's mandatory birth registry and public health care system, researchers found that previous studies estimated HDP doubled the risk of heart disease and stroke, while Wyatt's study found that risk in some people was nearly ten times higher than earlier estimates.
Specific conclusions
Wyatt said, "Those at high risk had hypertensive disorders in multiple pregnancies and delivered preterm, which may indicate more severe disease."
The study also found that some reproductive histories involving HDP were not associated with heart disease and stroke. Wyatt said, "Those with low or no increased risk had HDP in their first pregnancy, delivered at term without severe complications or medical intervention, and had healthy subsequent pregnancies."
Wyatt concluded, "Our research adds nuance to the understanding of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Some may be associated with cardiovascular disease, while others may have different causes. This highlights the need for more research tailored to each pregnant woman's unique experience."
Source:
Collected online