Blood Pressure Profile 1 Year After Severe Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia increases the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease, possibly through occurrence of hypertension after delivery, such as masked hypertension, night-time hypertension, and an adverse systolic night-to-day blood pressure (BP) ratio. These types of hypertension are often unnoticed and can only be detected with ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). We aimed to determine hypertension prevalence and 24-hour BP pattern with ABPM and office BP measurements in women 1 year after severe preeclampsia. This is a retrospective cohort study. As part of a follow-up program after severe preeclampsia, 200 women underwent ABPM and an office BP measurement 1 year after delivery. We calculated hypertension prevalence (sustained hypertension, masked hypertension, and white-coat hypertension) and systolic night-to-day BP ratio (dipping pattern). Medical files and questionnaires provided information on preexisting hypertension and antihypertensive treatment. One year after delivery, 41.5% of women had hypertension (sustained hypertension, masked hypertension, or white-coat hypertension) with ABPM. Masked hypertension was most common (17.5%), followed by sustained hypertension (14.5%) and white-coat hypertension (9.5%). With sheer office BP measurement, only 24.0% of women would have been diagnosed hypertensive. Forty-six percent of women had a disadvantageous dipping pattern. Hypertension is common 1 year after experiencing severe preeclampsia. Masked hypertension and white-coat hypertension are risk factors for future cardiovascular disease and can only be diagnosed with ABPM. Therefore, ABPM should be offered to all these women at high risk of developing hypertension and possibly future cardiovascular disease.