Women who develop high blood pressure after birth have an increased risk of chronic hypertension

Washington, DC – Blood pressure that stays high over time – known as chronic hypertension – has been linked to heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. Recent research has shown that persistent high blood pressure can also increase the risk of stroke and overall mortality. Yet only about 1 in 4 adults with chronic hypertension has their condition under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In a new study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting ™, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh will unveil results suggesting that women who develop hypertension blood pressure during pregnancy and who continue to have high blood pressure after childbirth are at increased risk of developing chronic hypertension.

The study looked at 368 women who had normal blood pressure during pregnancy and followed them for six to 18 months after giving birth. For six weeks after giving birth, women took their blood pressure at home using a remote monitoring system connected to their smartphones. A total of 5,958 blood pressure readings were collected.

The results showed that on their first postpartum visit, nearly half of the women (49.5% or 182) developed high blood pressure. These women had a slower drop in blood pressure in the first six weeks after childbirth and higher blood pressure during their postpartum visit compared to other women (50.5 percent or 186) who did. have not developed hypertension.

“By taking advantage of data from our large-scale postpartum hypertension remote monitoring program, we were able to discover that a woman’s blood pressure in the first six weeks after childbirth appears to be an important indicator. of her likelihood of developing chronic hypertension six to 18 months later, ”said one of the study’s lead authors, Eesha Dave, MD, resident physician in obstetrics and gynecology at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. of Pittsburgh.

“This information helps us better identify women who may be at risk for developing cardiovascular problems later in life and take preventative measures,” said another of the study’s lead authors, Alisse Hauspurg, MD, Maternal and Fetal Medicine subspecialist and assistant professor. at the University of Pittsburgh.

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For a copy of the study, please contact Karen Addis at [email protected]; 301-787-2394.

About SMFM

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC. With more than 5,000 physicians, scientists and women’s health professionals around the world, the Society supports the clinical practice of maternal-fetal medicine by providing education, promoting research and engaging in advocacy activities. to optimize the health of high-risk pregnant women and their babies. SMFM holds an annual scientific meeting where new ideas and research related to high risk pregnancies are unveiled and discussed. For more information, visit SMFM.org and connect with the organization on Facebook and Twitter. For the latest news and updates from the 2021 Annual Meeting, follow the hashtag # smfm21.

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