A clinical follow-up study of 260 women with hypertension in pregnancy.

In 1969-73, 260 women had pre-eclampsia or hypertension in pregnancy. 237 were examined 7-12 years later. 172 were found to be normotensive, 24 were classified as having borderline hypertension while 62 had hypertension (antihypertensive treatment or BP greater than or equal to 160/100 mm Hg). Late hypertension was more often found after severe pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension than after mild pre-eclampsia. Hypertension preceding pregnancy was more common with severe pre-eclampsia. A family history of hypertension and repeated hypertensive pregnancies seem to predispose for later hypertension.