Pregnant woman with glowing heart representing healthy pregnancy

Hidden Heart Risks: How Chronic Hypertension During Pregnancy Affects Your Baby

Q: What is the main focus of the study on chronic hypertension during pregnancy?

The main focus of the study is to investigate the impact of chronic hypertension (cHTN) on the heart health of pregnant women and its association with adverse perinatal outcomes. The study, published in Pregnancy Hypertension: An International Journal of Women's Cardiovascular Health, specifically looked at how cHTN relates to abnormal myocardial strain patterns. It used advanced techniques such as speckle-tracking echocardiography to identify early signs of cardiac dysfunction in women with cHTN.

Q: How does chronic hypertension during pregnancy affect the heart?

During pregnancy, the body experiences a 30-50% increase in cardiac output and a decrease in systemic vascular resistance. These changes can exacerbate underlying conditions like chronic hypertension (cHTN). This added strain can lead to subtle abnormalities that traditional tests might miss. The study found that a significant portion of women with cHTN showed abnormal cardiac strain, measured by global longitudinal strain (GLS), even before experiencing symptoms. This early cardiac strain can predispose women to complications such as preeclampsia and preterm delivery.

Q: What role does global longitudinal strain (GLS) play in this research?

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a key measurement used in the study to assess the heart's function in pregnant women with chronic hypertension (cHTN). GLS measures how the heart muscle deforms during each beat, providing a more precise evaluation of myocardial contractility. The study analyzed GLS data from the second trimester and found that a significant percentage of women with cHTN showed abnormal cardiac strain based on GLS measurements. This early detection is crucial because it can predict the risk of more severe complications like preeclampsia and preterm delivery. The findings suggest that GLS, measured using advanced imaging like speckle-tracking echocardiography, can help identify cardiac dysfunction early on.

Q: What are the implications of abnormal cardiac strain for pregnant women with chronic hypertension?

The study indicates that women with abnormal cardiac strain, as measured by global longitudinal strain (GLS), face a higher risk of complications. Specifically, there was a higher incidence of superimposed preeclampsia (38.2% vs. 11.5%) and a greater proportion of preterm deliveries before 37 weeks (44.1% vs. 19.2%). These women also had lower stroke volume and ejection fraction compared to those without abnormal strain. Early detection of abnormal strain allows for timely interventions, potentially mitigating these risks and improving outcomes for both mother and baby. Therefore, it underscores the importance of proactive cardiac monitoring in pregnant women with chronic hypertension (cHTN).

Q: What steps should women with chronic hypertension take after learning about these findings?

Women with chronic hypertension (cHTN) should discuss proactive cardiac monitoring with their healthcare providers. The study's findings highlight the importance of early detection of cardiac strain to mitigate risks. They should inquire about advanced techniques, like speckle-tracking echocardiography and how global longitudinal strain (GLS) can be used in their care. Regular monitoring can help identify and address any cardiac dysfunction early, potentially leading to better outcomes for both the mother and the baby. It is important to be proactive and discuss concerns and available monitoring options with their healthcare team, in addition to following all other prenatal care recommendations.

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals the subtle ways chronic hypertension in pregnant women can impact heart health and increase the risk of preeclampsia."

Chronic hypertension (cHTN) affects approximately 7% of all pregnancies, posing significant risks to both mother and child. During pregnancy, the body undergoes substantial changes, including a 30-50% increase in cardiac output and a decrease in systemic vascular resistance. These changes, while normal, can exacerbate underlying conditions like cHTN, potentially leading to severe complications.

While many pregnant women with cHTN may feel asymptomatic, the added strain on the heart can lead to subtle abnormalities that traditional tests might miss. Standard measures like ejection fraction often fail to detect early signs of cardiac dysfunction. This is where advanced techniques like speckle-tracking echocardiography come into play, offering a more precise evaluation of myocardial contractility.

A recent study published in Pregnancy Hypertension: An International Journal of Women's Cardiovascular Health sheds light on these hidden heart risks. Researchers investigated whether cHTN during pregnancy is associated with abnormal myocardial strain patterns and adverse perinatal outcomes. The findings could transform how we approach prenatal care for women with chronic hypertension.

What Does This Mean for Pregnant Women with Chronic Hypertension?

Pregnant woman with glowing heart representing healthy pregnancy

The study, conducted at the University of Chicago, involved a retrospective cohort of patients with cHTN who underwent echocardiograms as part of their routine clinical care. Researchers analyzed data from 60 patients, focusing on global longitudinal strain (GLS), a measure of how the heart muscle deforms during each beat. This measurement was taken during the second trimester to identify early signs of cardiac strain.

The results revealed that a significant portion of women with cHTN showed abnormal cardiac strain even before developing any symptoms. Specifically, 56.7% of the participants had a GLS indicating abnormal strain. This early detection is crucial because it predates the onset of more severe complications like preeclampsia and preterm delivery.

Early Detection: Abnormal cardiac strain can be identified in the second trimester.
Increased Risk: Women with abnormal strain had a higher incidence of superimposed preeclampsia (38.2% vs. 11.5%).
Preterm Delivery: A greater proportion of these women delivered before 37 weeks (44.1% vs. 19.2%).
Lower Stroke Volume: Women with abnormal strain had lower stroke volume (69.0ml vs 81.5ml; p=0.001) and ejection fraction (49.6% vs 57.5%; p<0.0001).

These findings underscore the importance of proactive cardiac monitoring in pregnant women with cHTN. Early identification of cardiac strain can prompt timely interventions, potentially mitigating the risks of preeclampsia and preterm birth. However, it’s essential to understand why this cardiac dysfunction occurs in the first place.

What's Next? Future Directions and Recommendations

While this study provides valuable insights, the researchers emphasize the need for further investigation. They suggest that future studies should focus on understanding the mechanisms behind cardiac dysfunction in pregnant women with cHTN. Additionally, it’s crucial to explore interventions that can improve cardiac function and reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. For women with cHTN, these findings highlight the importance of discussing proactive cardiac monitoring with their healthcare providers to ensure the best possible outcomes for both mother and baby.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is the main focus of the study on chronic hypertension during pregnancy?

The main focus of the study is to investigate the impact of chronic hypertension (cHTN) on the heart health of pregnant women and its association with adverse perinatal outcomes. The study, published in Pregnancy Hypertension: An International Journal of Women's Cardiovascular Health, specifically looked at how cHTN relates to abnormal myocardial strain patterns. It used advanced techniques such as speckle-tracking echocardiography to identify early signs of cardiac dysfunction in women with cHTN.

How does chronic hypertension during pregnancy affect the heart?

During pregnancy, the body experiences a 30-50% increase in cardiac output and a decrease in systemic vascular resistance. These changes can exacerbate underlying conditions like chronic hypertension (cHTN). This added strain can lead to subtle abnormalities that traditional tests might miss. The study found that a significant portion of women with cHTN showed abnormal cardiac strain, measured by global longitudinal strain (GLS), even before experiencing symptoms. This early cardiac strain can predispose women to complications such as preeclampsia and preterm delivery.

What role does global longitudinal strain (GLS) play in this research?

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a key measurement used in the study to assess the heart's function in pregnant women with chronic hypertension (cHTN). GLS measures how the heart muscle deforms during each beat, providing a more precise evaluation of myocardial contractility. The study analyzed GLS data from the second trimester and found that a significant percentage of women with cHTN showed abnormal cardiac strain based on GLS measurements. This early detection is crucial because it can predict the risk of more severe complications like preeclampsia and preterm delivery. The findings suggest that GLS, measured using advanced imaging like speckle-tracking echocardiography, can help identify cardiac dysfunction early on.

What are the implications of abnormal cardiac strain for pregnant women with chronic hypertension?

The study indicates that women with abnormal cardiac strain, as measured by global longitudinal strain (GLS), face a higher risk of complications. Specifically, there was a higher incidence of superimposed preeclampsia (38.2% vs. 11.5%) and a greater proportion of preterm deliveries before 37 weeks (44.1% vs. 19.2%). These women also had lower stroke volume and ejection fraction compared to those without abnormal strain. Early detection of abnormal strain allows for timely interventions, potentially mitigating these risks and improving outcomes for both mother and baby. Therefore, it underscores the importance of proactive cardiac monitoring in pregnant women with chronic hypertension (cHTN).

What steps should women with chronic hypertension take after learning about these findings?

Women with chronic hypertension (cHTN) should discuss proactive cardiac monitoring with their healthcare providers. The study's findings highlight the importance of early detection of cardiac strain to mitigate risks. They should inquire about advanced techniques, like speckle-tracking echocardiography and how global longitudinal strain (GLS) can be used in their care. Regular monitoring can help identify and address any cardiac dysfunction early, potentially leading to better outcomes for both the mother and the baby. It is important to be proactive and discuss concerns and available monitoring options with their healthcare team, in addition to following all other prenatal care recommendations.