Hypertension and Reproduction

Abstract

Purpose of Review Many aspects of reproduction have been associated with increased blood pressure and impaired glucose metabolism that reveals a subsequent increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this review is to assess reproductive life factors associated with an increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, e.g., early life programming, sexual, and reproductive health in men and women. Recent Findings Impaired fetal growth, with low birth weight adjusted for gestational age, has been found associated with hypertension in adulthood. Erectile dysfunction, currently considered an early diagnostic marker of cardiovascular disease preceding the manifestation of coronary artery disease by several years, frequently coexisting with hypertension, could also be exacerbated by some antihypertensive drugs. Male hypogonadism or subfertility are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy including preeclampsia represent a major cause of maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity, and mortality. The risk of developing preeclampsia can be substantially reduced in women at its high or moderate risk with a low dose of acetylsalicylic acid initiated from 12 weeks of gestation. An increased risk of hypertension in women following invasive-assisted reproductive technologies has been newly observed. Blood pressure elevation has been noticed following contraceptive pill use, around the menopause and in postmenopausal age. Furthermore, drug treatment of hypertension has to be considered as a factor with a potential impact on reproduction (e.g., due to teratogenic drug effects). Summary In summary, a deeper understanding of reproductive life effects on hypertension and metabolic abnormalities may improve prediction of future cardiovascular disease.

The role of taurine in male reproduction: Physiology, pathology and toxicology

“…N-nitrol-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) is a vasoconstrictor, which is commonly used to induce the animal model of experimental hypertension ( 172 ), based on its inhibiting nitric oxide enzyme and consequently resulting in chronic NO depletion ( 173 ). Hypertension is a recognized risk factor for male reproductive dysfunction ( 174 , 175 ), such as erectile dysfunction ( 176 ), sperm quality impairment ( 177 ), penile and testicular morphology changes ( 178 ). Since L-NAME is non-toxic, reproductive defects including decreased T levels, decreased sperm motility, antioxidant status and histological changes of internal testicular artery ( 179 , 180 ) by L-NAME mainly attribute to hypertension in model animals.…”

Poverty shapes the transcriptome of immune cells

“…Sex hormone levels are associated with health status and disease risk. Sex steroid hormone signaling offers protection in both men and women; however, the depletion of estrogen and testosterone following menopause elevates the risk for cardiovascular disease 41,70,71 , highlighting the significance of sex steroid hormone signaling. In addition, women generally have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than men of comparable age 72 , but this protection is lost with menopause.…”

Nghiên Cứu Đặc Điểm Cân Nặng Sau Sinh Của Trẻ Có Mẹ Bị Tiền Sản Giật Tại Bệnh Viện Từ Dũ

“…Sự phát triển của bào thai bị suy giảm, với cân nặng tuổi thai khi sinh ra thấp, được phát hiện có liên quan đến tăng huyết áp trong thai kỳ (8) . Vì vậy, việc phát hiện sớm nguy cơ tiền sản giật và kiểm soát tiền sản giật là một công việc quan trọng cần được quan tâm khi mới bắt đầu thai kỳ đến kết thúc thai nhằm giảm thiểu hậu quả gây ra từ TSG.…”