Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and early-life cardiovascular disease: Bridging the knowledge gap among healthcare providers

Document Type

Review Article

Department

Community Health Sciences; Paediatrics and Child Health; Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Office of the Provost; Medicine; Cardiology

Abstract

Purpose of Review: This review synthesizes current evidence on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and their impact on cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women, identifies gaps in healthcare provider knowledge, and proposes strategies to strengthen postpartum cardiovascular risk management.
Recent Findings: HDP, including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, significantly increase early-onset and long-term CVD risk in women. Despite strong evidence, provider awareness and implementation of postpartum cardiovascular monitoring remain limited, especially in low-and middle-income countries. Substantial gaps in long-term risk counseling, HDP history documentation, and continuity of care beyond delivery persist. Emerging strategies such as task-shifting, mobile health interventions, integrated cardio-obstetric care teams, and context-specific care pathways offer promising solutions.
Summary: Recognizing HDP as a sentinel event enables timely preventive care using a life-course approach. Strengthening provider education, integrating HDP history into electronic health records, and establishing structured postpartum screening programs are essential for reducing long-term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in women.

AKU Student

no

Publication (Name of Journal)

Current Atherosclerosis Reports

DOI

10.1007/s11883-026-01396-1

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