Sex differences in hypertension and cardiovascular disease

Hypertension and its associated complications affect men and women during different stages of their lives. Our research is focusing on what controls blood pressure in pregnant women and what largely protects women from cardiovascular disease until menopause. One in 10 women experience hypertension during pregnancy. Its life threatening for the mother and child and the only therapy we have at the moment is delivery. Blood pressure medication affects the baby, so normally you try to keep the pregnancy going for as long as possible without adversely affecting the mother. Furthermore, preeclampsia which is the severest form of hypertension during pregnancy, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in later life. Ongoing studies examine: 1. What controls blood pressure during pregnancy and 2. The long-term consequences of hypertension during pregnancy and how this may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in later life. Results from these studies may lead to the identification of new strategies that reduce the risk of developing hypertension and associated disease.