49 THE DANGEROUS PREGNANCY Preeclampsia poses a threat to women's heart health ILLUSTRATIONS BY GETTY IMAGES BY DANA JOHNSON W hen Amy Urban gave birth to her first child, like most parents, her biggest focus was her new baby. But in the days after her son's arrival, Urban's blood pressure became dangerously high. After arriving at the emergency department, tests revealed that Urban had postpartum preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is the most common complication of pregnancy-characterized by a rise in blood pressure, large amounts of protein in the urine, and swelling of the hands, feet and face. Its cause is unknown. For many women, VIM & VIGOR SUMMER 2020 FdVVSU2080_49-51_Preclampsia.indd 49 4/1/20 3:23 PM