Cardiovascular risk and pre eclampsia

[Greycloudsbrightskies]

Hello, I've had three pregnancies and had pre eclampsia in all of them. I've been reading about the long term increased risks of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and strokes and feel quite worried. While I am doing everything I can to mitigate my risks, they're still there.

Anyone have any particular knowledge or experience with this?

Hi - was it actually pre-eclampsia or slightly elevated BP? Did your BP return to normal and do you get it checked regularly? I think that's the most you can do.

Hi, I posted this in AIBU too and there have been different experiences shared:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4795005-cardiovascular-risk-and-pre-eclampsia?reply=125784763

Yes it was pre eclampsia each time, not gestational hypertension. My BP returned to within the normal range, though it's higher than it was before children. I check it regularly but worry about the damage that has been done to my vessels and heart and that I can't do anything about except avoid adding other risks.

I had pre-eclampsia and was unaware of the risks and recently had a heart attack at 47 with no apparent risk factors (slim, ate healthily, exercised a lot, non smoker). I’ve wondered about the link too but it’s a bit late now as I’m doing as much as I can to reduce further risks.

I am really frightened by this as I had PE with my first baby, and my Mum also had PE with me.
I don’t smoke but I am fatter than I should be, and my BP hasn’t ever gone down to pre pregnancy levels. I should have it checked I suppose. I am trying to lose weight but it seems it is more complicated that that. I am shocked that a fit and slim woman with no other risk factors can have a heart attack in her forties .

I was only told I was at higher risk later in life and to monitor my blood pressure. My bp is actually lower than it was pre-kids

@SirVixofVixHall have you spoken with your GP about your increased risk profile to decide if medication may be an option?

No I haven’t . My GP is pretty hopeless generally, but I will go and talk about this. I am really anxious about it now.

I don’t think you should be unduly worried. Maybe monitor your BP at home and just take care with regards to cholesterol raising ingredients in food. My GP initially told me I was a 1 in 10,000 case and has subsequently changed their mind to 1 in 1,000,000. I’m still here and fine and I had warning signs - the GP just diagnosed them incorrectly and attributed the discomfort to gastric issues. Ultimately I will never know what caused my heart attack, could have been PE, could have been the Covid vaccine, could have been genetic. All we can do is minimise the risks and live life to the full!

Thank you Tubbs . I have had lots of palpitations since Covid a few months ago, so I need to talk to the GP about that. I have an underactive thyroid and I am prone to palpitations but they have ramped up. I was feeling rough for ages post Covid so I have been worrying about my health more than I was before. I am late fifties, but I still have school children. My Mum had strokes /vascular dementia from her v early seventies which I suddenly realise is not all that far away!
I was very slim and fit pre pregnancy, but less so since having children !