Facts About Hypertension During Pregnancy

High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Is a Serious Health Concern

The organizations listed below provide reliable information and support for individuals seeking to learn more about preeclampsia and its implications during pregnancy. To find patient-centered resources (i.e. tips on how to have conversations with providers about signs and symptoms of high blood pressure during pregnancy) visit our Patient Education & Community Resources page.

Preeclampsia Foundation

The Preeclampsia Foundation offers a wide range of educational resources and materials for patients, including fact sheets, brochures, videos, and webinars. Their website is a valuable resource for individuals seeking information about preeclampsia, its symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, and support services. 

Website: Preeclampsia Foundation 

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

ACOG provides patient education materials on various women's health topics, including preeclampsia. Their resources include articles, patient FAQs, and patient education pamphlets that cover different aspects of preeclampsia, such as diagnosis, management, and prevention. 

Website: ACOG Patient Education 

March of Dimes

March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health of mothers and babies. Their website offers comprehensive information about preeclampsia, including its causes, symptoms, complications, and treatment options. They also provide practical tips for pregnant individuals and their families. 

Website: March of Dimes - Preeclampsia

Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic's website features patient education materials on a wide range of medical conditions, including preeclampsia. Their resources include detailed articles, videos, and infographics that explain the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of preeclampsia in an easy-to-understand format. 

Website: Mayo Clinic - Preeclampsia 

BabyCenter

BabyCenter is an online resource for expectant and new parents, offering information and advice on pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. Their website features articles and expert advice on preeclampsia, including how it affects pregnancy, how it's diagnosed and managed, and what to expect during recovery. 

Website: BabyCenter - Preeclampsia 

QUICK STATISTICS

Non-Hispanic black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than non-Hispanic white women. (1)

80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the US were preventable during 2017 - 2019. (2)

Discrimination was a contributing factor to at least 30% of those preventable deaths. (2)

Hypertensive disorders are attributed to 6.3% of preventable pregnancy-related deaths and were the 7th leading cause of those deaths in the US during 2017 - 2019. (2)

Birthing people who live in rural areas, birthing people who have low income, and/or birthing people who are Black-identifying are at higher risk of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy than other groups of people. (3)

Sources

  1. Howell, E. A. (2018). Reducing Disparities in Severe Maternal Morbidity and Mortality. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, 61(2), 387. https://doi.org/10.1097/GRF.0000000000000349
  2. Trost SL, Beauregard J, Njie F, et al. Pregnancy-Related Deaths: Data from Maternal Mortality Review Committees in 36 US States, 2017-2019. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services; 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternal-mortality/erase-mm/data-mmrc.html#print
  3. Sharma, G, Ying, W, Vaught, A. Understanding the Rural and Racial Disparities in Pre-Pregnancy Hypertension: Important Considerations in Maternal Health Equity ∗ . J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020 Dec, 76 (22) 2620–2622.
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2020.09.602