Emotional stress and the risk to develop hypertensive diseases in pregnancy.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular diseases are strongly influenced by stress and do share several risk factors with hypertensive diseases in pregnancy (HDP). The aim of the study is to investigate the correlation between emotional stress during pregnancy and the risk for HDP. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire comprising obstetrical and psychosocial questions was completed by 725 patients and 880 controls matched for age, parity, nationality, and educational level. RESULTS: Emotional stress during pregnancy was associated with a 1.6-fold increased risk for HDP. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial interventions to reduce emotional stress during pregnancy may help to decrease the risk to develop HDP.