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Analyzing Preeclampsia as the Tip of the Iceberg Represented by Women with Long-Term Cardiovascular Disease, Atherosclerosis, and Inflammation

  • Evidence-Based Medicine, Clinical Trials and Their Interpretations (L. Roever, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Atherosclerosis Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Cardiovascular and endothelial dysfunction is recognized nowadays as an important etiological factor contributing to the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Recent Findings

Preeclampsia is considered a specific disease of pregnancy, but recent theories suggest that women suffering from the condition have greater propensity to develop atherosclerosis, heart disease, and stroke over the years.

Summary

It is possible that transient but severe endothelial dysfunction observed in preeclampsia potentiates a cascade of events that progresses to atherosclerosis. Preeclampsia offers a unique window of opportunity to identify maternal endothelial dysfunction and pre-existing cardiovascular disease. The placenta is closely involved in the onset of preeclampsia, but endothelial and cardiac vascular factors also play important causal roles in the development of hypertension during pregnancy. According to the data presented, it is clear that preeclampsia selects a group at high risk of development of atherosclerosis and at increased cardiovascular risk, as well as of stroke, in the decades following childbirth.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Avenida Pará SN, Campus Umuarama, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38400-902, Brazil

    Angélica Lemos Debs Diniz

  2. Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Uberlândia – UFU, Avenida Pará SN, Campus Umuarama, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38400-902, Brazil

    Maria Marta Bini Martins Paes

  3. Positive University, R. Prof. Pedro Viriato Parigot de Souza, 5300 – Cidade Industrial, Curitiba, Paraná, 81280-330, Brazil

    Aline Debs Diniz

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  1. Angélica Lemos Debs Diniz
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  3. Aline Debs Diniz
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Correspondence to Angélica Lemos Debs Diniz.

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Angélica Lemos Debs Diniz, Maria Marta Bini Martins Paes, and Aline Debs Diniz each declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Diniz, A.L.D., Paes, M.M.B.M. & Diniz, A.D. Analyzing Preeclampsia as the Tip of the Iceberg Represented by Women with Long-Term Cardiovascular Disease, Atherosclerosis, and Inflammation. Curr Atheroscler Rep 22, 13 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-020-0830-6

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