PRE-ECLAMPSIA AND LONG-TERM CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN WOMEN: CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS AND TREATMENT APPROACHES

Abstract

Pre-eclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy, characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria after the 20th week of pregnancy. In addition to the immediate risks to mother and fetus, recent studies suggest an association between preeclampsia and increased long-term cardiovascular risk in affected women. This condition may predispose patients to developing chronic hypertension, coronary artery disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications in the future. Objective: This systematic literature review aims to examine the clinical manifestations of preeclampsia and their implications for long-term cardiovascular risk in women, as well as evaluate treatment approaches used to mitigate these risks. Methodology: The review was conducted according to the PRISMA checklist. The PubMed, Scielo and Web of Science databases were used to search for articles published in the last 10 years. The descriptors used were "preeclampsia", "cardiovascular risk", "long-term outcomes", "clinical manifestations", and "treatment strategies". Inclusion criteria were studies that explored the relationship between pre-eclampsia and long-term cardiovascular risk, presented relevant clinical results and were available in full text. Exclusion criteria included studies with small sample sizes, lack of relevant data, and non-availability of full text. Results: The review identified that women with a history of pre-eclampsia are more likely to develop chronic hypertension, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Factors such as severity of pre-eclampsia, gestational age at diagnosis and presence of proteinuria influence cardiovascular risk subsequent. Early interventions, such as lifestyle modifications and drug therapy, have been associated with better long-term outcomes. Conclusion: Preeclampsia not only represents a challenge during pregnancy, but also carries significant implications for women's cardiovascular health after birth. Appropriate management and monitoring strategies are essential to mitigate long-term cardiovascular risks in these patients, highlighting the importance of awareness and continued research in this field.