Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy

Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy

• Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy affect 7-10% of all pregnancies, with 70% being preeclampsia and 30% chronic hypertension.
• Maternal deaths are caused by hypertension in 20% of cases and preeclampsia in 10%.
• Hypertension is defined as a blood pressure reading of 140/90 or higher, with at least two readings taken at least 4 hours apart.
• Patients should be comfortable and not in distress during blood pressure measurement.
• Mild hypertension is defined as a blood pressure reading of 140/90 or higher.
• Severe hypertension is defined as a blood pressure reading of 160/110 or higher.
• There are four classifications of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy: chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and eclampsia, and superimposed preeclampsia.
• Chronic hypertension can be defined as preexisting hypertension before pregnancy, hypertension developing before 20 weeks gestational age, or hypertension developing after 20 weeks gestational age and continuing for 12 weeks postpartum.
• The causes of chronic hypertension can be primary essential or secondary due to renal diseases, vascular diseases, or collagen disorders.