What long-term health risk may women face after experiencing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy?

Women who have experienced hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, such as gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, may face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. This association arises due to several shared risk factors and underlying mechanisms that contribute to both hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and cardiovascular conditions.

The physiological changes associated with high blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to vascular damage and contribute to long-lasting changes in the cardiovascular system. Research indicates that women with a history of these disorders tend to have higher rates of hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and other cardiovascular risk factors in the years following delivery. As such, it is crucial for healthcare providers to monitor and manage these women's cardiovascular health post-pregnancy, as part of ongoing care.

While the other options reflect important health concerns, they are not as closely linked to hypertensive disorders during pregnancy as cardiovascular disease. Osteoporosis, diabetes, and obesity are influenced by a multitude of factors that do not directly connect to the vascular and physiological changes seen in women who have had hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.