Hypertension and Pregnancy Trio
/We’ve had an overwhelming response to our Espresso episode on acute treatment of severe hypertension in pregnancy, so today we have a special triple episode release on pregnancy and hypertension! We dive into ACOG PB 202 on Preeclampsia and Gestational Hypertension, and ACOG PB 203 on Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy (membership required for both).
In our first episode, we dive into risk factors and definitions to set the stage. Recall several risk factors that may raise your suspicion for these disorders:
- Nulliparity
- Multiple gestation
- Chronic hypertension
- History of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy in previous pregnancy
- Pregestational or gestational diabetes mellitus
- Thrombophilia, Anti-phospholipid syndrome, or SLE
- Chronic kidney disease
- Advanced maternal age > 35 years
- Obesity (BMI > 30) or obstructive sleep apnea
- Conception via assisted reproductive technology
In episodes 2 and 3, we dive into the specific definitions and management for each hypertensive disorder. Here are our show notes in table format; we hope that this helps you with your own review!
And in closing, a few postpartum/future health pearls to consider:
- With a history of any of these hypertensive disorders, baby aspirin is indicated in future pregnancies beginning at 12 weeks gestation to reduce risk or delay onset of preeclampsia.
- Women with a history of preeclampsia have 3-4x higher lifetime risk of hypertension, and 2x lifetime risk of heart disease and stroke, thus its important to ask about these even with just the annual physical.
- Best available evidence suggest NSAIDs are OK to use postpartum for patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
- Best available evidence also supports use of parenteral magnesium for seizure prophylaxis in patients who develop any of these disorders during the postpartum period (generally onsets within first week, but has been reported up to 8 weeks after delivery!).
Further reading from the OBG Project:
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Diagnosing Preeclampsia: Key Definitions and ACOG Guidelines
ACOG Preeclampsia Guidelines: Antenatal Management and Timing of Delivery
Aspirin Treatment for Women at Risk for Preeclampsia: ACOG and USPSTF Guidelines
Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy: Diagnosis and BP Measurement
Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy: Evaluation and Management
The 2017 AHA/ACC Blood Pressure Guidelines
#GrandRounds: Does Hypertension in Pregnancy Predict Hypertension in Later Life?