Treatment rates for chronic hypertension during pregnancy remained relatively low but stable over the same time period, with only about 60 percent of individuals receiving antihypertensive medications, according to new research published in Hypertension, a peer-reviewed journal. American Heart Association.
Chronic hypertension in pregnancy is defined as high blood pressure diagnosed before pregnancy or before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Preeclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy, can cause liver or kidney damage, and can double a woman's chances of heart failure and other cardiovascular complications in the future.
"The rate of high blood pressure has doubled in pregnancy, but drug use for treatment has remained stable at only 60 percent, which we believe would be better if patients were treated clinically," said lead study author Stephanie. "If it's done according to the guidelines, it's likely to be less than that." Leonard from Stanford University School of Medicine.
In 2017, clinical guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology increased the threshold for diagnosing hypertension for stage 1 hypertension from 140/90 mm Hg to 130/80 mm Hg and from 160/110 mm Hg. Revised to Rs 140/-. For stage 2 hypertension >90 mm Hg.
"We expected to see some effect from the 2017 guideline, which lowered the blood pressure threshold for treating hypertension. We were surprised to see no meaningful change before and after the guideline," Leonard said.
The researchers said this study highlights the growing burden of chronic hypertension and poor cardiovascular health before pregnancy as important targets for improving maternal health.
Chronic hypertension in pregnancy is defined as high blood pressure diagnosed before pregnancy or before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Preeclampsia usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy, can cause liver or kidney damage, and can double a woman's chances of heart failure and other cardiovascular complications in the future.
"The rate of high blood pressure has doubled in pregnancy, but drug use for treatment has remained stable at only 60 percent, which we believe would be better if patients were treated clinically," said lead study author Stephanie. "If it's done according to the guidelines, it's likely to be less than that." Leonard from Stanford University School of Medicine.
In 2017, clinical guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology increased the threshold for diagnosing hypertension for stage 1 hypertension from 140/90 mm Hg to 130/80 mm Hg and from 160/110 mm Hg. Revised to Rs 140/-. For stage 2 hypertension >90 mm Hg.
"We expected to see some effect from the 2017 guideline, which lowered the blood pressure threshold for treating hypertension. We were surprised to see no meaningful change before and after the guideline," Leonard said.
The researchers said this study highlights the growing burden of chronic hypertension and poor cardiovascular health before pregnancy as important targets for improving maternal health.
