THE DIAGNOSIS OF HYPERTENSION DURING PREGNANCY CORRELATES WITH EARLY MENARCHE AND WORSENED CARDIOVASCULAR DAMAGE

Objective: Hypertension during pregnancy is a major cause of maternal, fetal, and neonatal mortality and morbidity, making it one of the most frequent medical issues for obstetricians. Consequently, this underlines the crucial role of the experienced clinician in managing blood pressure values in these patients. The aims of this study are to assess whether there is a correlation between gestational hypertension and the age of menarche, and to potentially identify whether there is a correlation with cardiovascular damage in women. Design and method: We retrospectively evaluated 224 Caucasian women (aged 59.31±11.02 years), affected by hypertension. They were divided into patients with previous diagnosis of gestational hypertension (group1= 9) and with essential hypertension (group2=215). All patients underwent a comprehensive physical examination, blood tests, echocardiogram, tonometry (PWV) and ankle-brachial-index(ABI). Results: Collected data shows that patients with gestational hypertension(group1) have a significantly higher body mass index (BMI)(p<0,0001) and abdomen circumference(p=0,006) compared to group2. Additionally, in group1, a significantly lower age at menarche(p<0,0001) and diagnosis of hypertension(p<0,0001) is observed compared to group2. Regarding blood tests, group1 shows reduced levels of total cholesterol(p=0,003), LDL(p=0,006), and non-LDL(p=0,007), but an increase in glomerular filtration rate(p<0,0001), proteinuria(p=0,033), and albuminuria(p<0,0001). Tonometry reveals a reduction in cfPWV(p=0,012) in group1, and echocardiography an increase in aortic root diameter(p=0,001), and in systolic function in right ventricular evaluated with TAPSE)(p<0,0001). Conclusions: These results suggest a correlation between gestational hypertension, age at menarche and cardiovascular damage in women, emphasizing the importance of assessment and treatment both during pregnancy and in the follow-up of patients affected by gestational hypertension.