Preeclampsia and Fetal Growth Restriction as Risk Factors of Future Maternal Cardiovascular Disease—A Review

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death in women worldwide. Although traditional risk factors increase later-life CVD, pregnancy-associated complications additionally influence future CVD risk in women. Adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction (FGR), are interrelated disorders caused by placental dysfunction, maternal cardiovascular maladaptation to pregnancy, and maternal abnormalities such as endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, hypercoagulability, and vasospasm. The pathophysiologic pathways of some pregnancy complications and CVDs might be linked. This review aimed to highlight the associations between specific adverse pregnancy outcomes and future CVD and emphasize the importance of considering pregnancy history in assessing a woman’s CVD risk. Moreover, we wanted to underline the role of maternal cardiovascular maladaptation in the development of specific pregnancy complications such as FGR.

Keywords

• cardiovascular disease
• pregnancy complications
• fetal growth restriction
• preeclampsia
• maternal morbidity