A 29-year-old woman had early-onset pre-eclampsia requiring delivery at 32 weeks. Which long-term maternal cardiovascular risk is most strongly associated with this history?

• A No increased cardiovascular risk compared to normotensive pregnancies
• B Risk limited to venous thromboembolism
• C Increased risk only if she develops chronic hypertension within 1 year
• D Two-fold increased risk of ischemic heart disease and stroke ✓

Explanation

Pre-eclampsia, especially early-onset or severe disease, is independently associated with approximately a 2-fold increased long-term risk of ischemic heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality. This risk persists even after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. ACOG and AHA recognize pre-eclampsia as a sex-specific cardiovascular risk factor. The risk is not limited to VTE or conditional on developing chronic hypertension.

Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.