Original Investigation

Blood Pressure Genetic Risk and Incident Hypertension at 2 to 7 Years Post Partum

JAMA Cardiology 10.1001/jamacardio.2026.0363

April 01, 2026 at 11:00 AM EDT

Read the full article

Is genetic risk for high systolic blood pressure (SBP) associated with the risk of new-onset hypertension after pregnancy, beyond clinical characteristics and history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP)?In this cohort study that included 2852 nulliparous women, SBP genetic risk was significantly and independently associated with incident hypertension. However, SBP genetic risk contributed less to the risk of new-onset hypertension than either HDP history or elevated postpartum body mass index (BMI).Results suggest that SBP genetic risk was independently associated with new-onset hypertension at 2 to 7 years post partum, but HDP history and elevated BMI are more important contributors to hypertension risk.

Corresponding Author: Michael C. Honigberg, MD, MPP, Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, 25 New Chardon St, Ste 301, Boston, MA 02114 (mhonigberg@mgh.harvard.edu).

Link to the article in your story

We encourage you to link out to this article in your story using the link below. It includes an access token that will give free access to the article for your readers up to one year after publication. (The link will be live after the article publishes and embargo is lifted.)

Please see the article for additional information, including full author list, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

Need more information? Contact us.

Editor's Picks