Management of hypertension in pregnancy: a descriptive report of two clinic practices

Hypertens Pregnancy. 2020 Feb;39(1):43-47. doi: 10.1080/10641955.2019.1697702. Epub 2019 Nov 28.

Abstract

Objective: To describe the current clinical practice in the treatment of hypertension in pregnancy.Methods: Retrospective chart review described hypertension treatment of pregnant women in two urban clinics in Minnesota USA, over 27 months. Data elements collected: blood pressure (BP) readings with gestational age, goal BP documented, and pharmacological treatments utilized.Results: Sixty patients had multiple elevated BP readings in prenatal care encounters. Of 60 included patients, 18 were treated with antihypertensives and 11 had documented BP goals. Documented goal BPs varied in numeric goal and some only listed systolic or diastolic goal.Conclusion: Inconsistencies exist in current treatment and documentation of hypertension in pregnancy.

Keywords: Hypertension; antihypertensives; gestational hypertension; preeclampsia; pregnancy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Pressure Determination / methods*
  • Blood Pressure Determination / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / diagnosis*
  • Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / drug therapy*
  • Minnesota
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data*
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Care / methods*
  • Prenatal Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urban Health Services

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents