Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life. The authors investigated the association of HDP with blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness 1-year postpartum. Seventy-four participants, 33 with an HDP and 41 with uncomplicated pregnancies, were examined using applanation tonometry to measure BP, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), and augmentation index (AIx). On average, women with HDP had a 9 mm higher systolic BP (P<.01), 0.8 m/s faster cfPWV (P=.09), and 5.4% greater AIx (P=.09) at the 1-year examination. After adjustment for covariates, there was no significant difference in cfPWV between groups, while a 7.3% greater AIx (P<.05) remained. These findings suggest that reduced endothelial function may be detected 1 year after HDP. Large prospective studies are needed to further understand the contribution of arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction in the evolution of CVD after these complicated pregnancies.
© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.