Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related condition that affects millions of women worldwide. It is characterized by high blood pressure and damage to organs, such as the liver and kidneys.

Preeclampsia poses significant threats to both the mother and her baby during pregnancy and childbirth.

However, recent studies revealed that this condition might also harm women years or even decades after their pregnancy, increasing their risk of developing long-term health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and other chronic conditions.

What is Preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia usually occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy, although it can develop earlier or even after childbirth.

The exact causes of preeclampsia are still unknown, but experts believe that it results from problems with blood vessels in the placenta, which provide nutrients and oxygen to the growing fetus.

When these blood vessels fail to function correctly, they can trigger a cascade of events that leads to preeclampsia. The symptoms of preeclampsia include:.

High blood pressure
Protein in urine
Swelling in hands, feet, and face
Severe headache
Visual disturbances
Abdominal pain
Reduced urine output

If left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious complications, such as eclampsia, which is a life-threatening condition that can cause seizures, organ damage, and even death.

Preeclampsia: A Risk Factor for Long-Term Health Problems

While preeclampsia has long been recognized as a substantial risk factor for maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, recent studies have also identified it as a significant predictor of long-term health problems in women years after their pregnancy.

A study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women with a history of preeclampsia had a higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease compared to women who did not have preeclampsia.

Specifically, women with preeclampsia were three times more likely to develop heart failure and stroke and twice as likely to develop heart attack and coronary artery disease.

Another study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that women with a history of preeclampsia had an increased risk of developing kidney disease later in life.

The study showed that women with a history of preeclampsia were twice as likely to develop chronic kidney disease and four times more likely to develop end-stage renal disease than women without preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia has also been linked to other chronic conditions, such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and thyroid disorders, which increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Why Does Preeclampsia Increase the Risk of Long-Term Health Problems?

The underlying mechanisms that link preeclampsia to long-term health problems are still unclear, but researchers propose several hypotheses.

One theory is that preeclampsia reflects an underlying predisposition to cardiovascular disease, which is unmasked by the stress of pregnancy.

Studies show that women who have preeclampsia have higher levels of cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and inflammation, even before becoming pregnant.

Another theory is that preeclampsia causes irreversible damage to blood vessels and organs during pregnancy, which persists beyond childbirth.

Studies show that women with a history of preeclampsia have impaired blood vessel function and increased arterial stiffness, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Additional studies suggest that preeclampsia alters the expression of genes involved in regulating blood pressure and inflammation, which may lead to persistent changes in these pathways after delivery.

The Importance of Postpartum Follow-Up for Women with Preeclampsia

The growing evidence that preeclampsia increases the risk of long-term health problems underscores the need for postpartum follow-up and screening for women with this condition.

Although preeclampsia typically resolves after delivery, the underlying risk factors may persist beyond childbirth, and women may be at increased risk of developing cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women with a history of preeclampsia receive postpartum follow-up care within three to seven days after delivery and ongoing annual follow-up care to assess their long-term health and monitor for signs of chronic disease.

The postpartum follow-up care should include an evaluation of blood pressure, kidney function, lipid profile, and glucose metabolism.

Women with abnormal test results should receive appropriate treatment and lifestyle modifications to reduce their risk of developing chronic disease.

Conclusion

Preeclampsia is not only a pregnancy complication but also a potential danger to women years later. Women with a history of preeclampsia are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and other chronic conditions later in life.

The underlying mechanisms that link preeclampsia to long-term health problems are still unclear, but research suggests that multiple factors may contribute, such as genetic predisposition, impaired blood vessel function, and persistent changes in blood pressure and inflammation pathways.

Postpartum follow-up care is essential for women with a history of preeclampsia to monitor their long-term health and assess their risk of developing chronic disease.

Women with abnormal test results should receive appropriate treatment and lifestyle modifications to prevent or manage chronic disease.