Planning Ahead

While the goal of this project is to raise awareness about long-term heart risks, it is also important to consider future pregnancies. Every person and specific situation is different. If you are thinking about another pregnancy, we highly recommend that you speak to your primary care provider.

We recommend speaking to your primary care provider for 3 main reasons:

1) Understand your risk of a future pregnancy being affected by a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP). In general, about 1 in 5 people who have been diagnosed with a HDP will have high blood pressure or preeclampsia in their next pregnancy. However, this risk varies depending on whether you have other health issues and your specific history (the timing and severity of the high blood pressure/preeclampsia). It is important to work together with your primary care provider to understand your history, current health and risk.

2) There are ways to reduce your risk of developing a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy in the next pregnancy- before and during the pregnancy. You may benefit from being followed in a more specialized centre. Once it is safe to do so, your primary care provider will likely be starting low-dose aspirin at 12-16 weeks in your next pregnancy, and ask you about your dietary calcium intake. You should also take folic acid prior to conceiving.

3) If you are taking any medications for high blood pressure or high cholesterol, it is important to discuss whether your medications need to be changed or stopped prior to becoming pregnant.