The presence of stage 1 hypertension is associated with a significantly increased risk of preeclampsia when compared with high-risk normotensive women; however, this risk was significantly reduced with aspirin treatment. This according to a secondary analysis of the high-risk aspirin trial that included women with prior preeclampsia or diabetes mellitus (DM). Among the findings:

• 827 (81%) women were classified as normotensive; 193 (19%) were classified as stage 1 hypertensive.
• Among women receiving placebo, preeclampsia occurred significantly more often in women with state 1 hypertension compared with normotensive high-risk women after adjustment for maternal age and body mass index (BMI).
• Moreover, women with stage 1 hypertension had a significant risk reduction related to aspirin prophylaxis (risk ratio, 0.61) not seen in normointensive high-risk women.