Hypertension in Pregnancy: A Review of Current Guidelines

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy include preeclampsia-eclampsia, chronic hypertension, chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and postpartum hypertension. The incidence of preeclampsia has increased by 25% over the past 15 years. This significant increase prompted the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) to publish Hypertension in Pregnancy. The goals of ACOG's publication are to achieve the following: to create more consistent guidelines in the management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, to better educate providers of the risks associated with hypertension, and to increase awareness to patients and their families. This section will review the risk factors, diagnosis, and management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy per these current guidelines.