Hypertension in Pregnancy and Women of Childbearing Age

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. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.