How Does Hypertension or Preeclampsia During Pregnancy Affect your health later on in life?
The effects of high blood pressure during pregnancy vary from person to person depending on the health condition, disorder and other factors. Untreated chronic hypertension increases the risk for cardiovascular disease and it’s only natural to advice to women who have had hypertensive disorders discuss with their health care providers and find out what they can do to reduce their risk for further health complications.
According to NHBPEP, (the National High Blood Pressure Education Program), preeclampsia does not in general increase a woman’s risk for developing chronic hypertension or other heart-related problems.
The NHBPEP also reports that in women with normal blood pressure who develop preeclampsia after the 20th week of their first pregnancy (considered as a short-term complications), including increased blood pressure, usually go away within about 6 weeks after delivery.
However, some women may be more likely to develop high blood pressure or other heart disease later in life. The recent studies suggest that women who develop preeclampsia before term may be at increased risk for cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease later in life, especially after menopause.
IMPORTANT: With all that said, still more study and research is needed to determine the long-term health effects of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and to develop better methods for identifying, diagnosing, and treating women at risk for these conditions.
Even though high blood pressure and related disorders during pregnancy can be serious, most women with high blood pressure and those who develop preeclampsia have successful pregnancies.
Obtaining early and regular prenatal care is the most important thing you can do for you and your baby.
As a rule of thumb: Women with chronic high blood pressure should see their health care provider before attempting to conceive. A preconception visit allows the doctor to ensure that the blood pressure is under control and to evaluate any medication the woman takes to control her blood pressure.