Introduction: Women with a history of preeclampsia have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life. 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement is considered to be the gold-standard for diagnosing hypertension. Data on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement in women with a history of preeclampsia are scarce.
Objectives: To evaluate hypertension in previously severe preeclamptic women, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements were performed one year after delivery as part of our cardiovascular risk follow-up program.
Results: Since 2011 213 women were included in this program. 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement was performed in 90 out of 121 women (74%) who completed follow-up one year after delivery. Systolic blood pressure was 121 mm Hg (median; range 96-157) and diastolic blood pressure 78mm Hg (median; range 62-114). Twenty-three women (26.0%) used antihypertensive medication one year postpartum. Blood pressure levels were not significantly different between women with and without medication. Five women (5/67, 7.5%) of those not using antihypertensives, were diagnosed as having hypertension by this measurement.
Conclusion: These data show that 30% of these previously severe preeclamptic women have persisting hypertension one year postpartum. These data stress the importance of close monitoring of blood pressure in these women.
Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.