Interventional cardiologist Saira Samani, MD, discusses how mothers who develop high blood pressure during pregnancy are at a higher risk of developing heart disease in the future. Research has shown that pregnancy puts stress on a woman’s heart and circulatory system. If a woman experienced preeclampsia during pregnancy, they may still experience high blood pressure after giving birth.

Preeclampsia is a disorder affecting mothers that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period. High blood pressure is traditionally defined as blood pressure of 140/90 or greater, measured on two separate occasions six hours apart. During pregnancy, a rise in the lower number (diastolic) of 15 degrees or more, or a rise in the upper number (systolic) of 30 degrees or more can also be a cause for concern.

Preeclampsia can resolve after pregnancy. However, women should still receive treatment and schedule follow up appointments with their physicians.

“As a matter of fact, if it happened during pregnancy, women are at a higher risk of developing hypertension diabetes, twofold higher risk of having a stroke and fourfold higher risk of having heart disease in the future,” Dr. Samani said.

Dr. Samani recommends getting screened regularly and taking preventive measures.

Ochsner is home to one of the most prestigious and passionate groups of interventionalists in the country. As one of the largest academically accredited interventional coronary and peripheral vascular training programs in the nation, Ochsner interventionalists are dedicated to the non-surgical treatment and prevention of heart attack, structural heart disease, stroke and limb loss.

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