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Having high blood pressure during pregnancy may spell hot flashes later, according to a new study.

Dutch researcher found that women who have hypertensive diseases during pregnancy seem to be at greater risk of having hot flashes and night sweats at menopause.

The study looked at the relationship between hypertensive diseases in pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, and vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats).  Researchers examined 853 women who visited a cardiology clinic in Kampen, the Netherlands.

Researchers said 274 of the women had a history of hypertensive diseases during pregnancy, and more of them had hot flashes and night sweats compared to women who never had hypertensive diseases during pregnancy.

The study showed that 75 percent of women who never had hypertensive disease suffered hot flashes and night sweats compared to 82 percent of women who had hypertensive disease. Researchers said the difference between the two groups is small but significant.

Furthermore, researchers found that women with high blood pressure during pregnancy tended to have more severe and long lasting hot flashes and night sweats.

Researchers noted that because half of the women in the study had cardiac symptoms, it's not clear whether the link applies to all middle-aged women.  However, the findings do offer some insight into the biological link between the conditions.  Researchers explain that hypertensive diseases during pregnancy and vasomotor symptoms that come on after menopause are all risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

The findings will be published in the October 2013 print edition of Menopause.