Long-Term Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health Outcomes in Women with a History of Severe Preeclampsia: A 15-Year Cohort Study

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology | Vol. 14, No. 7, July 2026 | pp. 73–84

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJOG/000483

Original Research Article

Title: Long-Term Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health Outcomes in Women with a History of Severe Preeclampsia: A 15-Year Cohort Study

Names of Authors: Oluwaseun A. Adebayo¹, Chinedu O. Okafor², Aminat Z. Yusuf¹

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
² Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract:
Preeclampsia is an endothelial disorder unique to pregnancy, but its long-term systemic impacts remain poorly quantified in sub-Saharan African populations. This prospective cohort study investigated the 15-year incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (TDM) in women with a history of severe preeclampsia. A total of 450 women who experienced severe preeclampsia between 2010 and 2011 were tracked longitudinally and compared against a age- and parity-matched control cohort of women with normotensive pregnancies (n = 450). Clinical evaluations, including blood pressure monitoring, lipid profiles, and fasting plasma glucose measurements, were performed at regular intervals. Over the 15-year follow-up period, women with a history of severe preeclampsia exhibited a significantly higher risk of developing chronic hypertension compared to the control group (38.4% vs. 12.1%; Relative Risk [RR] = 3.17; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 2.14 to 4.71; p < 0.001). The incidence of type 2 diabetes was also significantly elevated (14.6% vs. 5.3%, p = 0.002). Cardiovascular events, including ischemic heart disease and stroke, occurred in 6.2% of the preeclampsia cohort versus 1.8% of the control group (p = 0.008). Multi-variate Cox regression analysis confirmed that severe preeclampsia was an independent risk factor for long-term metabolic syndrome (Hazard Ratio = 2.84, 95% CI, 1.65 to 4.88). In conclusion, severe preeclampsia serves as an early unmasking sign of permanent cardiovascular and metabolic vulnerabilities, necessitating lifelong primary preventative screening and cardiometabolic surveillance well beyond the postpartum period.

Keywords: Preeclampsia; Chronic Hypertension; Cardiovascular Disease; Type 2 Diabetes; Metabolic Syndrome; Long-Term Cohort.

Manuscript Timeline: Received: March 12, 2026; Revised: May 04, 2026; Accepted: June 01, 2026; Published: July 06, 2026.

Citation: Adebayo OA, Okafor CO, Yusuf AZ. Long-Term Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health Outcomes in Women with a History of Severe Preeclampsia: A 15-Year Cohort Study. International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; 14(7): 73–84.

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