A new study published in in journal Hypertension has shown that the prevalence of chronic hypertension during pregnancy more than doubled between 2008 and 2021, which increases the risk of pregnancy complications and other health issues.
The study used data from a database of US health insurance claims that ran from 2007 to 2021. Overall, the study included data from over 1,900,000 pregnancies. The study analyzed both the prevalence of chronic hypertension in pregnancy and the use of oral antihypertensive medications. Chronic hypertension in pregnancy is defined as high blood pressure that was diagnosed before pregnancy or that was diagnosed in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Chronic hypertension during pregnancy can lead to an increased risk of preeclampsia and other pregnancy complications.
The results of the study showed that the prevalence of chronic hypertension during pregnancy steadily rose from 1.8% in 2008 to 3.7% in 2021. However, the use of oral treatments to control hypertension remained relatively steady from 2008 to 2021. Individuals with high blood pressure during pregnancy tended to live in the South and often had other chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, or kidney disease. These individuals also tended to be 35 years old or older.
The authors noted that the prevalence of chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension have risen in the general population, which means that they have also increased among pregnant people. Targeting and treating these conditions may help improve maternal health and reduce pregnancy complications in addition to improving overall public health. Almost one out of three people with chronic hypertension during pregnancy may face pregnancy complications, so preventing chronic hypertension is an important component of health and wellbeing during and after pregnancy.
Sources: Hypertension, Science Daily
