Abstract

Complications during pregnancy can even predispose a mother to developing cardiovascular disease later in life. We investigated the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness post-pregnancy measurements and pregnancy complications. Young's Elastic Modulus (YEM), carotid Intima-Media Thickness (IMT), Flow-Mediated Dilatation (FMD), and carotid artery distensibility. Vascular changes may be the cause of the increased cardiovascular risk in mothers seen after low birth weight and hypertensive disorders, and some of this increased risk may have existed prior to pregnancy.