Blood pressure during pregnancy is a useful predictive maker for hypertension and dyslipidemia later in life, a population-based, cross-sectional study
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles
Published on: January 26, 2024
Kaori Iino1, Tsuyoshi Higuchi2, Mariko Ogawa3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu Hirosaki, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8562, Japan.
Objective:
Pregnancy is an opportunity for women to become aware of their risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), because physiologic responses to dynamic hemodynamic changes can be observed during pregnancy. Accordingly, we hypothesized that blood pressure levels during pregnancy may be associated with the risk of CVD later in life.
Study Design:
We used data from the Iwaki Health Promotion Project and designed a population-based, cross-sectional study. In this study, Maternity Health Record Books were collected from women over 40 years of age in order to obtain reliable data regarding past pregnancies. Of a total of 642 women, 432 were selected according to the study criteria.
Main Outcome Measures:
The associations between blood pressure levels during pregnancy and major CVD risk factors (hypertension and dyslipidemia) were analyzed retrospectively.
Results:
A 10 mmHg increase in the mean diastolic blood pressure level between gestational weeks 12 and 42 conferred a 1.70- and 1.55-fold increase in the risk of hypertension and dyslipidemia, respectively, in later life.
Conclusions:
Blood pressure levels during pregnancy may be associated with CVD risk and could therefore be a useful predictive marker.
Related Concept Videos
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
Alterations in Blood Pressure
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart...
Hypertension I: Introduction
Hormonal Regulation
Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.

