Hypertension in Pregnancy: Pathophysiology & Management Strategies

Hypertension is the most common medical condition encountered in and complicating pregnancy, with significant implications on maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. It is also one of the areas of clinical practice that has been studied extensively, yet less well understood. The hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a spectrum of conditions that are classified into 4 categories based upon recommendations of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group on High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy. This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology and current pharmacologic management of hypertension in pregnancy.