Rates of high blood pressure in pregnancy doubled from 2008 to 2021, but only 60% get medication, as reported in current research circulated in the journal Hypertension on Monday.
Chronic Hypertension Plays a Major Role in Pregnancies
Stephanie Leonard, an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology-Maternal Fetal Medicine at Stanford and the study's lead author, emphasized that high blood pressure is an important factor in adverse pregnancy results.
Chronic hypertension during pregnancy, defined as high blood pressure diagnosed before fertilization or before the 20th week of pregnancy, poses severe dangers for both mothers and babies.
While the reasons behind the dramatic raised in hypertension rates are ambiguous, a former study recommends a trend toward delayed childbearing may be a determinant.
Complications arising from chronic hypertension can be life-threatening, adding to the consistently high maternal mortality rate in the U.S., with Black women disproportionately affected.
Maria Pabon, a cardiologist specializing in women's cardiovascular health at Brigham and Women's Hospital, highlighted that heart disease is the leading factor of death among women in the U.S., with distinct danger causes compared to men.
Pabon noted that encountering high blood pressure during gestation can heighten the danger of future heart disease, emphasizing the significance of proactive measures.
These include adopting a heart-healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet, engaging in regular exercise, managing stress, and guaranteeing sufficient sleep. Screening for heart disease should encompass regular monitoring of blood pressure, weight, cholesterol levels, and Lipoprotein A.
For those with a family history of heart disease, Pabon suggested asking a cardiologist specializing in women's health for additional testing and personalized care.
Many Pregnant Women with High Blood Pressure Lack Sufficient Treatment
The research also disclosed that many people with high blood pressure during gestation do not obtain enough treatment, with estimates suggesting only 60% are recently treated.
Dr. Justin Brandt, an associate professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, noted that this figure may be an underestimate due to variability in medical practices and awareness of updated guidelines.
Recent updates in medical guidance now recommend treatment for even mild hypertension during pregnancy, recognizing its potential to mitigate complications such as pre-eclampsia without adverse effects on fetal development.
New research in Hypertension reveals a doubling in chronic hypertension diagnoses during U.S. pregnancies from 2008 to 2021.
Despite this increase, only 60% of affected individuals received antihypertensive medication, reflecting consistently low usage.
Chronic hypertension in pregnancy, diagnosed pre-pregnancy or by the 20th week of gestation, poses risks like severe hypertension and preeclampsia, potentially leading to future cardiovascular issues for women. Despite revised 2017 guidelines lowering hypertension thresholds, medication adoption showed minimal change.
Analysis of insurance claims data highlighted a rise in diagnoses to 3.7% from 1.8% among 1.9 million pregnancies, notably in older individuals from Southern states.
Medication trends varied, with methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide declining and labetalol and nifedipine increasing, aligning with treatment recommendations.
The study emphasizes the growing burden of chronic hypertension and underscores the need for better management of pre-pregnancy cardiovascular health to improve maternal outcomes.
However, limitations in the database used may restrict generalizability to all U.S. pregnant populations, lacking data on adherence and blood pressure measurements.
