High preconception blood pressure is associated with a greater risk of pregnancy loss, according to analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial of aspirin and pregnancy outcomes.
Researchers in the EAGeR (Effects of Aspirin on Gestational and Reproduction) trial analyzed data from 1,228 women attempting pregnancy with a history of pregnancy loss. After researchers adjusted for treatment assignment, body mass index (BMI), race, marital status, smoking, parity, and time from last pregnancy loss, an increase in all blood pressure measures was associated with a 17% increase in the risk of pregnancy loss (Hypertension. doi: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.117.10705).
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although the authors noted that group sizes were small.
Overall, one-quarter of the women enrolled in the study met the criteria for hypertension stage I, and 4.3% met the criteria for hypertension stage II.
“Screening and lifestyle interventions targeting maintenance of healthy blood pressure levels among reproductive-aged women may have additional important short-term benefits on reproductive health,” wrote Carrie J. Nobles, MD, of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and coauthors.
The authors also saw an impact of early pregnancy blood pressure on pregnancy loss, with an 18% greater risk of loss with each 10–mm Hg increase in mean arterial pressure.