Preeclampsia is a rare but serious health threat for pregnant women. Preeclampsia effects two to eight percent of pregnant women worldwide and in the U.S. it causes 15 percent of premature births. Women with preeclampsia, which causes persistent high blood pressure during or immediately after pregnancy, have an increased risk of future heart disease.

Dr. Valerie Rader, a cardiologist specializing in Women’s Cardiovascular Disease at Saint Luke’s Mid American Heart Institute, talks with KCTV5 about the relationship between preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease, and Saint Luke's upcoming preeclampsia town hall.