Preeclampsia: A Risk Factor for Future Cardiovascular Disease

The gestational period serves as a natural stress test that can be used to predict future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks of female patients. Recent evidence confirms that mothers with preeclampsia (PE) have higher CVD risks compared to other women of similar age. These sex-specific risks are of similar magnitude to traditional CVD risk factors such as smoking and obesity. Unfortunately, none of the commonly used CVD risk stratifications models make use of this sex-specific marker. Because women have historically posed a greater diagnostic challenge than men in assessing CVD risks, better models for risk stratification in this sex group are needed. A history of PE should be included as a variable in CVD risk stratification. In addition, screening women for a history of PE should become routine practice, with greater emphasis placed on therapies to modify adverse outcomes for these higher risk women.