BMJ  2007;335:945-946 (10 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.39337.427500.80 (published 1 November 2007)

Editorials

Pre-eclampsia and increased cardiovascular risk

Guidelines for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease are appropriate for all women

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women.1 Although its incidence is declining in men, this is not the case in women.2

Pre-eclampsia is a novel cardiovascular risk marker. Pre-eclampsia increases both the long term risk of cardiovascular disease and the risk that it will occur earlier. This has been shown consistently over time, in different settings, and for coronary and cerebrovascular outcomes. The magnitude of the risk for cardiovascular disease in women with previous pre-eclampsia is similar to that of dysplipidaemia.3 Risk seems to be greater for pre-eclampsia than for gestational (or "pregnancy induced", non-proteinuric) hypertension. Risk is also greater for early-onset pre-eclampsia and for pre-eclampsia associated with placental complications (such as stillbirth or small for gestational age infants).4 Two papers in this week's BMJ assess the link between pre-eclampsia and cardiovascular disease.5 6

In the first paper, Bellamy and colleagues summarise the consistency and strength of the . . . [Full text of this article]

L A Magee, clinical associate professor of medicine, P von Dadelszen, associate professor of obstetrics and gynaecology

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

LMagee@cw.bc.ca


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This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Hubel, C. A., Powers, R. W., Snaedal, S., Gammill, H. S., Ness, R. B., Roberts, J. M., Arngrimsson, R. (2008). C-Reactive Protein Is Elevated 30 Years After Eclamptic Pregnancy. Hypertension 51: 1499-1505 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Sibai, B. M. (2008). Intergenerational Factors: A Missing Link for Preeclampsia, Fetal Growth Restriction, and Cardiovascular Disease?. Hypertension 51: 993-994 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

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correction
David O Gibbons
bmj.com, 11 Nov 2007 [Full text]
Your best cover yet - Nov 2007
Phillip J. Colquitt
bmj.com, 14 Nov 2007 [Full text]
Pre-eclampsia and screening for cardiovascular disease
Scott M Nelson, et al.
bmj.com, 19 Nov 2007 [Full text]
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