L C M E D S O C .O R G Preeclampsia and Pregnancy A Window into Future Cardiovascular Risk By PATRICIA MARAN, MD, Department of OBGYN, Generalist Division, Lehigh Valley Hospital and AMY AHNERT, MD, Co-Director of Women's Heart Program, Lehigh Valley Heart Institute H eart disease is the leading cause of death for women. Although overall mortality from cardiovascular disease among women has been decreasing, alarming trends are being seen among young women. Heart disease is actually increasing in women ages 35-54 years and maternal mortality rates are also increasing. Cardiovascular disease is a significant contributor to maternal mortality. While we think of heart disease and cardiovascular risk in our older women, we need to start paying attention to diseases of pregnancy as a harbinger to future health risk factors. Continued on page 22 SPRING 2020 | Lehigh County Health & Medicine 21http://www.LCMEDSOC.ORG