Preeclampsia and the Future Development of Cardiovascular Disease: A Review

Preeclampsia, a condition characterized by elevated blood pressure and proteinuria, is a complication that affects up to 5% of all pregnancies. Past research suggested that there were no long term cardiovascular effects after a pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia. However, more recent evidence has made it increasingly clear that the risks associated with preeclampsia do not end at birth: women diagnosed with preeclampsia face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. In this review of the literature, we provide insight on the pathophysiological similarities between preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease, investigate the hypothesis of shared predisposing risk factors that lead to preeclampsia and subsequently cardiovascular disease versus the theory that preeclampsia is an independent risk factor for future cardiovascular disease, provide important information regarding patient outcomes and clinical recommendations, and reveal potential goals for future research.