Hipertensión arterial crónica posterior a preeclampsia en el Hospital de Especialidades Teodoro Maldonado Carbo durante el período del 2020 al 2022.

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic hypertension is defined as an elevation in blood pressure, with systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >90 mmHg. Various factors can contribute to chronic hypertension in women, and one of them is related to the experience of preeclampsia during their reproductive years. Furthermore, an association between preeclampsia and a higher long-term risk of cardiovascular diseases has been observed. Objectives: To establish the prevalence of chronic arterial hypertension in patients who experienced preeclampsia. Methodology: An observational, retrospective, crosssectional, and descriptive study was conducted by reviewing medical records in the integrated system of the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS), AS-400, at the Teodoro Maldonado Carbo Hospital. Results: From a population of 1364 patients, a sample of 252 (95% CI) was selected, in which chronic arterial hypertension (CAH) was diagnosed in 21.8% (n=55) of the patients, of whom 45.4% (n=25) had no prior pathological history. Significant relationships were identified between a history of preeclampsia in previous pregnancies (p=0.002) and a family history of hypertension (p=<0.001) with the development of CAH. However, statistically significant associations were not found between advanced age (p=0.65), the number of children (p=0.057), pregestational body mass index (BMI) (p=0.222), or the presence of preeclampsia complications (p=0.134) and the development of CAH. Conclusions: There is a significant prevalence of chronic arterial hypertension following preeclampsia (21.8%), with key risk factors such as a history of preeclampsia in previous pregnancies and a family history of hypertension.