Women who have been diagnosed with pre-eclampsia during pregnancy are almost a third (31%) more likely than women who did not have the condition to develop heart disease before they reach the age of 38.

The study, carried out by researchers of the School of Social and Community Medicine at Bristol University, monitored the risk factors of nearly 3,500 women. Results found that gestational diabetes also increased the risk of women developing heart disease in later life by a quarter (26%).

Abigail Fraser, from the university, said: “A woman who experiences complications during pregnancy should be proactive and ask her doctor about future cardiovascular risk and steps she should take to modify her risk.”

For more information on pre-eclampsia and the signs and symptoms to look out for, have a look at our Pre-eclampsia in pregnancy article.

Source: American Heart Association
Photography: Bridget Coila @Flickr