Medically reviewed by Sharifa A. Menon, MD, FACOG

Preeclampsia is a health problem that can happen during pregnancy, usually after 20 weeks. It can cause high blood pressure and affect organs like the kidneys and liver. Many women hear about it during or right after pregnancy and may not think about it again.

That’s a mistake.

Research shows preeclampsia can affect health long after pregnancy ends. Women who had it have a higher risk of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure later in life. Knowing this can help women take better care of their health after pregnancy.

What happens in the body

Preeclampsia affects the blood vessels. Blood pressure goes up, and the kidneys may leak protein into the urine. This can be a sign that the kidneys are under stress. Some women may also have swelling, headaches, changes in vision or pain near the ribs.

Doctors do not fully know what causes preeclampsia. Many believe it starts with the placenta, the organ that connects the pregnant woman to the baby.

For some women, symptoms are mild and go away soon after delivery. For others, preeclampsia can be serious. Sometimes doctors need to deliver the baby early to protect both the mother and baby.

Why it doesn’t stop at delivery

Pregnancy can give important clues about a woman’s future health. Preeclampsia is one of those clues.

Women who had preeclampsia are about twice as likely to develop heart disease later in life compared with women who did not have it. They’re also twice as likely to have a stroke and four times as likely to develop long-term high blood pressure.

Researchers think this may be because preeclampsia and heart disease have some of the same causes. Both can involve problems with the blood vessels. Pregnancy can act like an early stress test for the body. If the body has trouble during pregnancy, it may be more likely to have heart problems later.

What women can do about it

The good news is that preeclampsia gives women helpful information about their health. It can show a higher risk for heart disease years before many people start thinking about it.

Doctors recommend that women who had preeclampsia:

• Get a full cardiovascular check-up, including a lipid panel and diabetes screening, at three months postpartum
• Have their blood pressure checked regularly, even when they are not pregnant
• Ask their doctor if they need heart health checks earlier than usual
• Know their cholesterol and blood sugar levels
• Work toward a healthy weight and stay active
• Tell any new doctor about their pregnancy history, especially a primary care doctor or heart doctor

Talking to your doctor

Many women do not know that pregnancy problems can affect heart health later in life. It is worth telling your doctor, even years later. A simple conversation can lead to earlier screening and steps to help prevent future problems.

Preeclampsia can be treated during pregnancy. For most women, the immediate danger passes after the baby is born. But preeclampsia can still affect long-term health. Knowing your risk is the first step toward protecting your health for years to come.

If you had preeclampsia during pregnancy, talk to your doctor about your long-term heart health. WMCHealth offers cardiology and women’s health services to help you understand and manage your risks.st stress-related hormonal changes are manageable and often reversible.

Click here to learn more about women’s health services at WMCHealth.