Welcome back to the Cross County Cardiology blog! Today, our education team is diving into an important topic: chronic hypertension during pregnancy. Recent studies have provided valuable insights into its prevalence and treatment over the years. Let's explore what the research says and how it impacts expecting mothers.
Background: Chronic hypertension, or high blood pressure that occurs before pregnancy or before 20 weeks of gestation, poses significant risks during pregnancy. Proper treatment is crucial to reduce the risk of adverse outcomes for both the mother and the baby. This article examines the prevalence and treatment of chronic hypertension in pregnant women in the United States from 2008 to 2021.
Methods: Researchers analyzed data from the Merative™ Marketscan® Research Database, which includes commercial insurance claims from 2007 to 2021. They looked at how common chronic hypertension was during pregnancy and how often oral antihypertensive medications were used over time. They also evaluated changes following the release of the updated 2017 hypertension guidelines by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.
Results: The study found that the prevalence of chronic hypertension during pregnancy increased significantly from 1.8% to 3.7% among 1,900,196 pregnancies between 2008 and 2021. This means that more women are experiencing high blood pressure during pregnancy than ever before.
Regarding treatment, about 57% to 60% of pregnant women with chronic hypertension were treated with antihypertensive medications throughout the study period. Interestingly, the types of medications used changed over time. The use of methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide decreased significantly (from 29% to 2% and from 11% to 5%, respectively). On the other hand, labetalol and nifedipine became more commonly used (from 19% to 42% and from 9% to 17%, respectively).
Despite the updated 2017 hypertension guidelines, there was no significant change in the prevalence or treatment of chronic hypertension during pregnancy.
Conclusions: The prevalence of chronic hypertension during pregnancy has doubled between 2008 and 2021 in the United States. Labetalol has replaced methyldopa as the most commonly used antihypertensive medication during pregnancy. However, it's concerning that only about 60% of pregnant women with chronic hypertension are receiving treatment.
What Does This Mean for You? If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it’s essential to monitor your blood pressure and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider. Managing hypertension during pregnancy is crucial for the health of both you and your baby.
At Cross County Cardiology, we are dedicated to providing the latest information and care to ensure the best outcomes for our patients. If you have any questions or need more information, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
Stay healthy and informed!
