The American Journal of Medicine
Volume 122, Issue 10 , Pages 890-895, October 2009

Hypertension in Pregnancy and Women of Childbearing Age

  • Scott R. Yoder, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology Division, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
    • ,
  • Loralei L. Thornburg, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
    • ,
  • John D. Bisognano, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology Division, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests should be addressed to John D. Bisognano, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Rochester, Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology Division, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 679-7, Rochester, NY 14642-8679

Abstract 

Hypertension in women of childbearing age is a challenging medical problem with increasing prevalence. Essential hypertension remains the most common diagnosis in young women. Reproductive goals and possible teratogenic effects must be considered when initiating therapy. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are frequent causes of maternal/fetal morbidity and mortality, the most common being preeclampsia/eclampsia. Pregnant patients should be screened routinely. Early recognition and prompt care from a multidisciplinary service, including obstetrics, cardiology, and intensive medicine, are required to prevent deleterious outcomes. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy reflect endometrial endothelial dysfunction/abnormalities and systemic endothelial dysfunction, which might predict future cardiovascular disease in these young women, prompting early preventive measures.

Keywords: Hypertension, Preeclampsia, Pregnancy, Women

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 Funding: None.

 Conflict of Interest: None of the authors have any conflicts of interest associated with the work presented in this manuscript.

 Authorship: All authors had access to the data and played a role in writing this manuscript.

PII: S0002-9343(09)00531-2

doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.03.036

The American Journal of Medicine
Volume 122, Issue 10 , Pages 890-895, October 2009

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