Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy and Preeclampsia and the Effect of Environmental Chemical Exposures
The public health community recognizes the need to increase attention to maternal health conditions, with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (e.g., preeclampsia) at the forefront. Pregnancy is a significant cardiovascular stressor due to the dramatic increases in the maternal blood compartment, left ventricular mass, stroke volume and heart rate, among others. The development of preeclampsia has both short- and long-term consequences on maternal health. While there are universally accepted risk factors such as pre-pregnancy hypertension, diabetes, and family history, exposure to environmental pollutants may play important roles in mediating these risks. Herein, this chapter will review the relationships between various contaminants and the risk of preeclampsia including air pollutants, heavy metals, and polyfluoroalkyl substances.