Chicago, IL — A recent study has revealed that pregnancy-related hypertension may contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women.
The study involved nearly 400 women, with an average age of 81.6 years, and aimed to investigate the relationship between self-reported histories of preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational hypertension, and gestational diabetes with cardiovascular health outcomes in postmenopausal women.
Findings indicate that a history of gestational hypertension is associated with cardiovascular disease. Additionally, women with a history of preeclampsia or experiencing multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes showed a higher prevalence of heart disease, although these results did not reach statistical significance. Importantly, no link was found between gestational diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Lead author Marie Tan from Drexel University College of Medicine emphasized the need for further research with larger sample sizes to deepen the understanding of how adverse pregnancy outcomes may influence the development of cardiovascular disease and risk assessment in women.
More comprehensive results will be shared during a presentation titled “The Association Between Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Cardiovascular Disease in Menopausal Women: Results from a Cross-Sectional Analysis” at the upcoming conference.
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society, underscored the significance of this research, stating, “Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in women, making it crucial to identify any new risk factors.” She stressed that while more research is necessary, studies like this one serve as important reminders to discuss patients’ health histories thoroughly, including any pregnancy-related complications.
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