Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and Follow-Up of Women After Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy:A Prospective Cohort Study

ObjectiveHypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) comprise an independent, sex-specific risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. This study examined the utility of CVD risk models proposed in the 2016 Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) lipid guidelines to identify women requiring further screening or lipid treatment following HDP.MethodsUsing data collected from the postpartum Maternal Health Clinic (MHC) at Kingston General Hospital in Kingston, Ontario and the Preeclampsia New Emerging Team (PE-NET) cohort study, the study investigators used the models recommended by the CCS guidelines and the cardiometabolic model of life expectancy in each cohort to estimate CVD risk in women after HDP. (Canadian Task Force Classification II-2).ResultsUsing the 10-Year Modified Framingham Risk Score, all women were classified by the 2016 CCS Guidelines as low risk, requiring no follow-up. The 30-Year and Lifetime Risk Scores resulted in significant reclassification of women at risk in the PE-NET control and HDP groups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.0001, respectively); 49.2% of women with HDP were classified as high risk, requiring follow-up, compared with 14.3% of control subjects. Using the cardiometabolic model, median life expectancy was significantly lower and expected onset of CVD was earlier in the HDP group compared with the control group (P < 0.0001).ConclusionThe 2016 CCS lipid guidelines’ risk classification recommendations significantly underestimated lifelong CVD risk in the HDP group compared with the control group. Women with HDP also had a significant decrease in cardiometabolic life expectancy and an earlier predicted age at onset of CVD. Early primary prevention in this at-risk population may improve CVD outcomes and reduce the future burden on the health care system.