Study: Treating High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy May Yield Better Outcomes

According to a new study, when hypertension (high blood pressure) is treated during pregnancy, it may reduce the risk of delivery problems at birth. The New England Journal of Medicine published the study in April 2022, which was carried out by a large group of researchers from the Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy Trial Consortium.

A group of over 2,400 women from all over the United States participated in the trial, all with mild chronic hypertension, and all whose pregnancy was less than 23 weeks. One group of women received medication to treat hypertension, while the other group was not given medication (unless severe hypertension developed). The data showed that the women who received blood pressure medication had a 30% risk of suffering dangerous side effects (such as preeclampsia or organ dysfunction), while the women who did not receive hypertension medication had a 37% risk of these side-effects. Additionally, the risk of preterm birth was lower among the group of women who took blood pressure medication (28%) compared to the women who were not on medication (31%).

The United States has one of the highest maternal death rates—deaths that oftentimes could have been avoided with proper timely care. High blood pressure is a leading cause of mothers dying, and can also lead to poor outcomes for the baby.

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A baby born to a mother with gestational hypertension may be at risk for serious birth injuries, including damage to the brain. If you experienced preeclampsia during your pregnancy and your child has suffered as a result, contact the birth injury attorneys at Grant & Eisenhofer.