What long-term risk do women face after developing pre-eclampsia in their first pregnancy?

After experiencing pre-eclampsia in their first pregnancy, women are at an increased long-term risk for several health issues, but notably, one of the most significant is the development of cardiovascular disease, which can manifest as hypertension and diabetes mellitus later in life.

The correct answer is that women who have had pre-eclampsia are more likely to develop hypertension later on. Pre-eclampsia signifies underlying vascular and placental issues, which may not resolve postpartum. This condition can lead to an increased risk of chronic hypertension and cardiovascular-related complications in the future.

Post-pregnancy, the physiological changes stemming from pre-eclampsia may set the stage for metabolic dysfunction, which can lead to conditions such as diabetes. However, the presence of hypertension as a direct correlate to pre-eclampsia makes it a critical area of concern for long-term risk assessments in these women. The development of hypertension is particularly emphasized in clinical guidelines and studies focused on long-term monitoring of women's health following pre-eclampsia.

In contrast, habitual miscarriage and renal failure are less commonly directly associated with pre-eclampsia as long-term consequences, making hypertension the more recognized and pivotal risk factor following such a pregnancy complication.