A new study reveals a doubling in the prevalence of chronic hypertension among pregnant women between 2008 and 2021.
The research, published in the journal Hypertension, found that nearly 40 percent of those with chronic hypertension during pregnancy did not receive appropriate antihypertensive treatment.
Chronic hypertension in pregnancy is diagnosed when blood pressure readings consistently exceed 130/80 mm Hg before pregnancy or after 20 weeks of gestation.
Chronic hypertension can increase the likelihood of developing gestational hypertension, a condition diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It can also lead to serious complications such as preeclampsia, placental abruption, and stillbirth. Untreated, chronic hypertension can result in postpartum hemorrhage, stroke, and other health problems.
The importance of addressing chronic hypertension and improving cardiovascular health before pregnancy is paramount as nearly one-third of individuals with chronic hypertension may experience pregnancy complications, highlighting the urgent need to prioritize the prevention and control of hypertension for optimal maternal health.
To assess the rate of chronic hypertension during pregnancy, researchers analyzed commercial insurance claims from 2007 to 2021, including nearly two million pregnancies from the National Hospital Discharge Survey data. They found that the percentage of pregnant people diagnosed with chronic hypertension shot up from 1.8 percent in 2008 to 3.7 percent in 2021.
Researchers found that even though the rate of hypertension in pregnancy has doubled, the use of medication for treatment remained stable at only 60 percent. Additionally, the findings highlighted that Black women with other comorbidities who are older than 35 had a higher rate of chronic hypertension in pregnancy.
Experts attribute the increase in gestational hypertension to higher rates of obesity, which can raise blood pressure. Overall obesity rates have soared, the new research found that 64 percent of the pregnant people who were prescribed antihypertensive medication during the study timeframe were more likely to have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, suggesting obesity.
Another factor is that women are getting pregnant at older ages. As women age, they are more likely to have lifestyle diseases. They also grapple with declining chances of spontaneous conception.
People who underwent infertility treatments were more than twice as likely to be hospitalized for hypertension than those who conceived naturally.
@ Vanguard Newspaper
