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Curr Hypertens Rep (2014) 16:475
DOI 10.1007/s11906-014-0475-3
PREECLAMPSIA (VD GAROVIC, SECTION EDITOR)
Maternal Preeclampsia and Risk for Cardiovascular Disease in Offspring
Guadalupe Herrera-Garcia & Stephen Contag
Published online: 6 August 2014# Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014
Abstract Hypertensive disease of pregnancy (HDP) has been associated with elevated lifetime cardiovascular risk, including stroke, myocardial disease, coronary artery disease, and peripheral arterial disease. These two entities share common risk factors such as obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and hypertension. This article will evaluate the current literature on the maternal and fetal cardiovascular risks posed by HDP. The landmark study by Barker et al. demonstrated increased cardiovascular risk in growth-restricted infants, which may also be associated with HDP. Research has demonstrated the effects that HDP may have on the vascular and nephron development in offspring, particularly with respect to endothelial and inflammatory markers. In order to control for confounding variables and better understand the relationship between HDP and lifetime cardiovascular risk, future research will require following blood pressure and metabolic profiles of the parturients and their offspring.
Keywords Cardiovascular disease . Preeclampsia . Gestational hypertension . Offspring . Cardiovascular risk . Hypertensive disease in pregnancy . Metabolic syndrome
Introduction
Preeclampsia affects 35 % of all pregnancies. In the United States, the overall prevalence of hypertensive disease is around 30 % [1]. The frequency of hypertensive disease increases with age, with a prevalence of 10 % between 18 and 45 years of age, 40 % between 45 and 65 years of age, and over 70 % after age 65 [1]. Approximately 800,000 people suffer a stroke each year, and it is the leading cause of long-term disability [2]. Coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death for both men and women, affecting over 700,000 people in the US each year [2, 3].
Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease requires identifying factors that place individuals at risk so that interventions may be implemented to prevent the associated morbidity and mortality. Barker put forth his fetal origins theory that established a relationship between the intrauterine environment and future risk for cardiovascular disease in the infant [4].
The aim of this review is to present evidence regarding the impact of hypertensive disease of pregnancy on future maternal and...