Lagecy of hypertension in women with past history of preeclampsia

Introduction Preeclampsia increases the longterm risk of cardiovascular disease. Some of the women affected by this condition remain hypertensive after delivery. Hypertensive phenotypes can only be detected with ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension using ABPM and office measurements. Method We conducted a cross-sectional study which included women who delivered between January 2015 and June 2021 and were diagnosed and followed up for preeclampsia in three major obstetrical and gynaecologic units in Yaounde. We excluded from the study all women who had a history of chronic hypertension or a known Cardiopathy. Results One hundred and one participants were included. The mean age was 30.56 years. 40.6% of women had hypertension (sustained hypertension, with sometime masked hypertension) with ABPM. With office BP measurement, only 28.7% of women would have been diagnosed hypertensive. 29.8% of women had a disadvantageous dipping pattern. Significant associated factors were: severe preeclampsia, history of gestational HTN et prior preecclampsia ( Table 1 ). Among those that develop chronic hypertension, 18.8% had LVH at electrocardiography, 7.9% had both LVH and an abnormal left ventricular geometry on ultrasound. We had 26 patients (25,74%) with severe office hypertension and 32,3% were obeses. The fundus was normal in the majority of cases and we had no signs of neurological deficits or impaired cognition. Renal function was always normal or subnormal. Finally, we had two cases of heart failure. Conclusion Many women affected by preeclampsia remain hypertensive after delivery. Masked hypertension and sustained hypertension are risk factors for future cardiovascular disease (only diagnosed with ABPM).