WOMEN showing the early signs of heart disease face a greater risk of suffering a life-threatening condition in pregnancy, researchers said yesterday.
Two studies published in the British Medical Journal examined the links between pre-eclampsia and heart disease.
The findings revealed the two conditions may share the same, as-yet unknown, cause.
Pre-eclampsia is a dangerous condition for bo
th mother and child which leads to abnormally high blood pressure during the second half of pregnancy. It affects about 5 per cent of mothers in their first pregnancy.
In the latest research, a team from Norway studied almost 4,000 women and looked at heart disease risk factors including high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels before pregnancy. Of these women, almost 4 per cent developed pre-eclampsia during pregnancy.
The researchers said that the chances of developing pre-eclampsia were seven times greater in women with high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels before pregnancy, compared to those with normal levels. A family history of high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes doubled the risk of pre-eclampsia, while being overweight or obese also increased the risk.
Meanwhile, women who took the Pill before pregnancy were at half the risk of pre-eclampsia faced by those who did not.
The researchers, led by Elizabeth Magnussen, said: "We found cardiovascular risk factors that were present before pregnancy are associated with a risk of pre-eclampsia."
Meanwhile, another report, by the Institute for Women's Health in London, also in the BMJ, analysed studies involving three million women. Researchers found women with a history of pre-eclampsia had an almost four-fold increased risk of high blood pressure and a twofold increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke and blood clots.
The study said the findings could mean women with pre-eclampsia could be given preventative treatment to reduce risks to the heart.
Cathy Ross, a cardiac nurse with the British Heart Foundation, said: "The results make it clear women who have had pre-eclampsia need to be aware of their increased risk and take action to reduce it."
Professor Andrew Shennan, from Tommy's, the baby charity, said there was growing evidence that women who developed pre-eclampsia experienced heart attacks and strokes in later life.
He added: "The good news is women can do something about this. Losing weight if they're overweight is a prime example and could reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia, as well as cardiovascular disease."
A MYSTERY AILMENT
DOCTORS do not yet fully understand the causes of pre-eclampsia.
It is thought a problem develops with the blood vessels in the placenta, causing it to be underdeveloped. Levels of the hormone activin A are also higher in women with the condition, but the reasons for this are unknown.
Women in their first pregnancy and those with a family history of the condition are at risk of developing pre-eclampsia. Teenagers and women in their 40s also face a greater risk.
The full article contains 505 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
