Long-term risk of cardiovascular disease 1.10.2 Advise women who have had a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that this is associated with an increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in later life (see table 6). [2019] Table 6 Cardiovascular risk in women who have had a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy Type of hypertension in current or previous pregnancy Risk of future cardiovascular diseasea, b Any hypertension in pregnancy Pre-eclampsia Gestational hypertension Chronic hypertension Major adverse cardiovascular event Risk increased (up to times) Risk increased (approximately Risk increased (approximately Risk increased (approximately Cardiovascular mortality Risk increased (up to times) Risk increased (approximately (no data) (no data) Stroke Risk increased (up to approximately Risk increased (approximately Risk may be increased Risk increased (approximately Hypertension Risk increased (approximately Risk increased (approximately Risk increased (approximately (not applicable) a Risks described are overall estimates, summarised from risk ratios, odds ratios and hazard ratios. b Increased risk is compared to the background risk in women who did not have hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Absolute risks are not reported, because these will vary considerably, depending on the follow-up time (range from 1 to 40 years postpartum). 1.10.3 Advise women who have had a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy to discuss how to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease, including hypertensive disorders, with their GP or specialist. This may include: avoiding smoking, as recommended in the NICE guideline on tobacco maintaining a healthy lifestyle, as recommended in the NICE guideline on cardiovascular disease maintaining a healthy weight, as recommended in the NICE guideline on 1.10.4 In women who have had pre-eclampsia or hypertension with early birth before 34 weeks, consider pre-pregnancy counselling to discuss possible risks of recurrent hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and how to lower them for any future pregnancies. 