Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and the Risk of Developing Hypertension Outside of Pregnancy Based on Updated Hypertension Guidelines [ID: 1377015]

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to determine whether hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) affect the development of chronic hypertension (HTN) within 5 years postdelivery based on updated guidelines by the American Heart Association (AHA). METHODS: This IRB-approved study evaluated women who delivered at one hospital from 2014 to 2016. Participants were determined to be normotensive or with HDP. Inclusion criteria for the HDP group was diagnosis of gestational HTN or preeclampsia at 20 weeks of gestation or greater. Exclusion criteria were previous diagnosis of HTN and age over 40. Women were followed up to 5 years postdelivery to assess development of chronic HTN, defined by the 2017 AHA guidelines as systolic greater than 130 mm Hg or diastolic greater than 80 mm Hg. RESULTS: Sixty-four participants (30.9%) developed chronic HTN within 5 years of delivery. Of these participants, 6.25% were from the normotensive pregnancy group, while 84.4% were from the preeclampsia with severe features group, with adjusted odds ratio of 11.38 (CI 4.67–22.46). Compared to the 5-year normotensive group, the 5-year chronic HTN group was associated with higher maternal body mass index (BMI) ( P =.0146), preterm delivery ( P =.0231), and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission ( P =.04). CONCLUSION: The rate of chronic HTN development 5 years postdelivery was significantly higher in participants with HDP, notably preeclampsia with severe features. Participants with development of chronic HTN had increased BMI during pregnancy, preterm delivery, and NICU admission rates as compared to participants with 5-year normotensive pressures. Awareness of the prevalence and risk factors for development of chronic hypertension provides areas of focus for future investigations.