Abstract
INTRODUCTION:Women with a history of preeclampsia have a higher lifetime risk for cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease. Therefore, tracking the development of risk factors for heart disease and stroke after preeclampsia is necessary.
METHODS:This is a retrospective chart review of women who were diagnosed with preeclampsia at Jackson Memorial Hospital between 2012-2013 and subsequently followed up within the Jackson Health System between 2014-2016. EMR’s were reviewed to determine whether these women developed hypertension, hyperlipidemia, migraines, obesity, and diabetes mellitus 2-3 years after an event of preeclampsia and whether these conditions were managed with medication. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SAS statistical software.
RESULTS:183 women met inclusion criteria (average age of 32.3 years). Controlling for preexisting conditions, 14.2% (22/183) of women with a history of preeclampsia developed hypertension, 3.8% (7/183) developed dyslipidemia, 3.8% (7/183) developed migraine, 3.8% (7/183) developed obesity, and 4.9% (9/183) developed diabetes mellitus within 2-3 years. The mean duration of follow up care was 2.9 years after preeclampsia. 73.6% (42/57) of all hypertensive women were prescribed an antihypertensive medication, 88.9% (16/18) women with diabetes were on pharmacologic therapy, yet 0% (0/10) women with dyslipidemia were prescribed a statin.
CONCLUSION:During short-term follow-up after pregnancy with preeclampsia, a significant group of women develop risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Not all patients with these risk factors receive optimal care. Our data suggest a need for the development of structured interventions to reduce stroke and myocardial infarction incidence in this population.
