Dr KK Answers: Are women with gestational diabetes at an increased risk of developing hypertension after the index pregnancy?

Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at a significant increased risk of developing hypertension after the index pregnancy. A study examined the association between GDM and subsequent risk of hypertension after the index pregnancy among 25,305 women who reported at least one singleton pregnancy between 1991 and 2007 in the Nurses' Health Study II.  During 16 years of follow-up, GDM developed in 1,414 women and hypertension developed in 3,138.

Source: Diabetes Care 2011 Jul; 34(7):1582-4.