INTRODUCTIONHypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP) remain a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide affecting up to 10% of all pregnancies. Previous works inform that long term morbidity includes cardiovascular disease, including ischaemic heart disease, stroke and hypertension. The extent of long term mortality amongst women distant from the primary pregnancy event is not known.OBJECTIVESTo determine mortality rates and cause of death for women who had hypertension during pregnancy between the years 1980-86.METHODSWomen who had hypertension during pregnancy were identified via by ICD-9 coding. From record examination, there was an existing cohort of women who participated in clinical trials at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in the 1980's. These trials included placebo controlled for blood pressure in pregnancy. The deaths among this cohort were identified by the NSW Registry of Birth Deaths and Marriages. The causes of death were verified from the International Classification of Diseases versions depending upon the year of death.RESULTSThere were a total of 332 women identified as participating in the various trials between the years 1980-86. Of these, there were 17 deaths reported by 2011. This gives an overall mortality rate of 5.1%. Five of these deaths were due to CVD. This equates to an RR of 44.6 (CI 95% 17.43-112.56).CONCLUSIONWomen with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy have a higher mortality rate compared to the general female population. Further research is required to determine the relationship between HDP and future hypertension and whether the type of treatment and management women receive with HDP effects their risk of future long term health outcomes.
