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This study is divided into 2 groups: study and control. The study group includes patients with a diagnosis of high blood pressure before, during or immediately after pregnancy [hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP)] and the control group includes patients who do not have a diagnosis of high blood pressure around the time of pregnancy.
This research is being done to determine if underlying excessive aldosterone hormone production [Primary Hyperaldosteronism (PA)] is a pre-pregnancy risk factor for HDP. HDP complicates about 10% of pregnancies and can cause a lifetime risk of developing chronic hypertension and cardiovascular disease (also called heart disease). PA occurs due to a problem of the adrenal glands (located on top of both kidneys) and is an
underdiagnosed cause of hypertension (high blood pressure). Hyperaldosteronism happens when the adrenal glands release too much aldosterone hormone, leading to sodium retention, high blood pressure and low potassium levels. In this study, the researchers will assess if women with history of HDP have higher production of aldosterone compared to women without history of HDP. This will be done by testing blood and urine samples.
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