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PubMed This is a summary of 19 peer-reviewed journal articles Updated
Obstetrics

The Road Ahead: Long-Term Health and Future Pregnancies

At a Glance

Having preeclampsia increases your future risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Protecting your long-term health requires annual screenings with a primary care provider and taking low-dose aspirin during any future pregnancies to reduce the risk of recurrence.

The experience of preeclampsia does not end the moment you are discharged from the hospital. While the physical symptoms of high blood pressure often resolve within weeks, the condition can have lasting effects on your physical health and emotional well-being. Knowing what to expect and how to care for yourself long-term is the key to recovery.

Your Heart and Metabolic Health

Having preeclampsia is now recognized as a “natural stress test” for your body. If you developed the condition, it suggests your cardiovascular system may be more sensitive to stress [1].

  • Cardiovascular Risk: Women with a history of preeclampsia have a higher risk of developing chronic high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke later in life [1][2]. This risk is higher if you had “early-onset” preeclampsia (before 34 weeks) or if you had it in more than one pregnancy [3].
  • Metabolic Health: There is also an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes [4].
  • Action Step: It is essential to establish care with a primary care provider (PCP) or a cardiologist. They should monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar (A1C) annually to stay ahead of these risks [5][6].

Healing from Birth Trauma

Preeclampsia often involves sudden hospitalizations, emergency deliveries, and a feeling of losing control. This can lead to birth trauma or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) [7][8].

Many patients experience “white coat” or “scan anxiety,” where their blood pressure spikes simply from the stress of being in a medical setting or seeing a blood pressure cuff [9]. This is a physiological response to trauma, not a failure of will. If you find yourself avoiding appointments, having intrusive thoughts about your birth, or feeling extreme anxiety about your health, consider speaking with a therapist who specializes in maternal mental health [10][11].

Planning for Future Pregnancies

A history of preeclampsia does not mean you cannot have more children, but it does mean your next pregnancy will be managed with extra care [12].

  • Low-Dose Aspirin: Current guidelines recommend that anyone with a history of preeclampsia take low-dose aspirin in their next pregnancy. Depending on your doctor, you may be prescribed one (81 mg) or two (162 mg) tablets daily [13][14].
  • Timing: This is typically started between 12 and 16 weeks of pregnancy and continued daily until delivery [14][15]. Aspirin helps the blood vessels in the placenta develop more effectively, reducing the risk of preeclampsia returning [16].
  • Remote Monitoring: In your next pregnancy or the immediate postpartum period, your doctor may suggest Remote Blood Pressure Monitoring (RPM). This allows you to take your pressure at home and text or upload the results to your care team, which can reduce the stress of frequent office visits [17][18].

By staying proactive with screenings and taking preventative steps in the future, you can significantly reduce the long-term impact of preeclampsia on your life [19].

Back to Home

Common questions in this guide

Does having preeclampsia increase my risk for heart disease?
Yes, having preeclampsia acts as a natural stress test on your body. It increases your long-term risk of developing chronic high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes later in life.
What doctors should I see after recovering from preeclampsia?
You should establish care with a primary care provider or a cardiologist. They should monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar annually to protect your cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Can I have another baby if I had preeclampsia?
Having a history of preeclampsia means your next pregnancy will be managed with extra care, but it does not mean you cannot have more children. Preventive measures, such as taking aspirin, can help reduce the risk of it happening again.
How can I prevent preeclampsia in a future pregnancy?
Current medical guidelines recommend taking daily low-dose aspirin during your next pregnancy. This is typically started between 12 and 16 weeks of pregnancy to help the placenta's blood vessels develop and reduce the risk of preeclampsia returning.
Is it normal to feel anxious about taking my blood pressure now?
Yes, many patients experience 'white coat' or scan anxiety, where their blood pressure spikes simply from being in a medical setting. This is a physiological response to birth trauma, and a maternal mental health therapist can help you navigate these feelings.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Curated prompts to bring to your next appointment.

  1. 1.Based on my history of preeclampsia, what is my specific risk for developing hypertension or heart disease later in life?
  2. 2.Can you recommend a primary care provider or cardiologist who specializes in postpartum heart health?
  3. 3.What screenings (like cholesterol or A1C tests) should I have annually to monitor my metabolic health?
  4. 4.If I decide to get pregnant again, when exactly should I start taking low-dose aspirin, and at what dose?
  5. 5.I am struggling with anxiety related to my birth experience; can you refer me to a therapist who specializes in birth trauma?

Questions For You

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Related questions

Does Preeclampsia Cause Heart Disease Later in Life?Does Baby Aspirin Prevent Preeclampsia in Next Pregnancy?Is It Preeclampsia or White Coat Hypertension?

References

References (19)
  1. 1

    Long-Term Cardiovascular Risk and Maternal History of Pre-Eclampsia.

    Palmiero P, Caretto P, Ciccone MM, et al.

    Journal of clinical medicine 2025; (14(9)) doi:10.3390/jcm14093121.

    PMID: 40364153
  2. 2

    Preeclampsia and Future Cardiovascular Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

    Wu P, Haththotuwa R, Kwok CS, et al.

    Circulation. Cardiovascular quality and outcomes 2017; (10(2)) doi:10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.116.003497.

    PMID: 28228456
  3. 3

    Subtypes and onset of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and cardiovascular disease within 5 years after delivery.

    Hu H, Savitz DA, Shenkman EA

    Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine 2026; (13()):1701507 doi:10.3389/fcvm.2026.1701507.

    PMID: 41798618
  4. 4

    Clinical implications of a history of pre-eclampsia in women with type two diabetes mellitus.

    Pearson MC, Wang H, Murdoch CE, Doney ASF

    Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association 2025; (42(6)):e70046 doi:10.1111/dme.70046.

    PMID: 40241268
  5. 5

    Update on Preeclampsia and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy.

    Rosenberg EA, Seely EW

    Endocrinology and metabolism clinics of North America 2024; (53(3)):377-389 doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2024.05.012.

    PMID: 39084814
  6. 6

    Risk and trajectory of premature ischaemic cardiovascular disease in women with a history of pre-eclampsia: a nationwide register-based study.

    Hallum S, Basit S, Kamper-Jørgensen M, et al.

    European journal of preventive cardiology 2023; doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwad003.

    PMID: 36702629
  7. 7

    Traumatic childbirth perception during pregnancy and the postpartum period and its postnatal mental health outcomes: a prospective longitudinal study.

    Türkmen H, Yalniz Dİlcen H, Özçoban FA

    Journal of reproductive and infant psychology 2021; (39(4)):422-434 doi:10.1080/02646838.2020.1792429.

    PMID: 32673072
  8. 8

    Perception of traumatic childbirth of women and its relationship with postpartum depression.

    Bay F, Sayiner FD

    Women & health 2021; (61(5)):479-489 doi:10.1080/03630242.2021.1927287.

    PMID: 33980127
  9. 9

    A systematic review of clinical effectiveness of psychological interventions to reduce post traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth and a meta-synthesis of facilitators and barriers to uptake of psychological care.

    Slade PP, Molyneux DR, Watt DA

    Journal of affective disorders 2021; (281()):678-694 doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.11.092.

    PMID: 33220947
  10. 10

    Preventing posttraumatic stress disorder following childbirth: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

    Dekel S, Papadakis JE, Quagliarini B, et al.

    American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2024; (230(6)):610-641.e14 doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2023.12.013.

    PMID: 38122842
  11. 11

    Partner involvement and emotional and informational support gaps as predictors of postpartum birth trauma symptoms: a multi-center cross-sectional study of 230 women at 42 days postpartum.

    Li L, Xiao L, Yuan X, et al.

    BMC pregnancy and childbirth 2025; (25(1)):918 doi:10.1186/s12884-025-08084-z.

    PMID: 40898125
  12. 12

    Guideline No. 426: Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: Diagnosis, Prediction, Prevention, and Management.

    Magee LA, Smith GN, Bloch C, et al.

    Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC 2022; (44(5)):547-571.e1 doi:10.1016/j.jogc.2022.03.002.

    PMID: 35577426
  13. 13

    Aspirin Use to Prevent Preeclampsia and Related Morbidity and Mortality: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.

    , Davidson KW, Barry MJ, et al.

    JAMA 2021; (326(12)):1186-1191 doi:10.1001/jama.2021.14781.

    PMID: 34581729
  14. 14

    Aspirin Prophylaxis During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

    Choi YJ, Shin S

    American journal of preventive medicine 2021; (61(1)):e31-e45 doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2021.01.032.

    PMID: 33795180
  15. 15

    Aspirin Use to Prevent Preeclampsia and Related Morbidity and Mortality: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.

    Henderson JT, Vesco KK, Senger CA, et al.

    JAMA 2021; (326(12)):1192-1206 doi:10.1001/jama.2021.8551.

    PMID: 34581730
  16. 16

    Early initiation of low-dose aspirin for the prevention of pre-eclampsia in high-risk pregnancies.

    Alsulami FT, Hamed EM

    Scientific reports 2026; (16(1)):1761 doi:10.1038/s41598-025-28078-3.

    PMID: 41530193
  17. 17

    Implementation of a text-based postpartum blood pressure monitoring program at 3 different academic sites.

    Janssen MK, Demers S, Srinivas SK, et al.

    American journal of obstetrics & gynecology MFM 2021; (3(6)):100446 doi:10.1016/j.ajogmf.2021.100446.

    PMID: 34329800
  18. 18

    Patient perceptions, opinions and satisfaction of telehealth with remote blood pressure monitoring postpartum.

    Thomas NA, Drewry A, Racine Passmore S, et al.

    BMC pregnancy and childbirth 2021; (21(1)):153 doi:10.1186/s12884-021-03632-9.

    PMID: 33607957
  19. 19

    A Systematic Review of Complications Following Pre-eclampsia.

    Montgomery KS, Hensley C, Winseman A, et al.

    Maternal and child health journal 2024; (28(11)):1876-1885 doi:10.1007/s10995-024-03999-z.

    PMID: 39316252

This page provides educational information about long-term health and future pregnancies after preeclampsia. Always consult your primary care provider or OB/GYN to discuss your specific health risks and create a personalized care plan.

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