Hypertensive pregnancy disorders: current concepts

Abstract

Hypertensive pregnancy disorders complicate 10% of all pregnancies and cover a spectrum of conditions, namely preeclampsia, eclampsia, and chronic and gestational hypertension. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder clinically characterized by hypertension and proteinuria that occurs after 20 weeks of gestation. It remains a leading cause of both fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Traditionally, hypertensive pregnancy disorders were considered not to have any long-term impact on mothers' cardiovascular health; however, recent studies consistently have supported the role of hypertension in pregnancy as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease later in life. Therefore, improved screening, and preventive and treatment strategies may not only optimize management of hypertensive pregnancy disorders, but may have a long-term impact on women's cardiovascular events and outcomes years after the affected pregnancies. This article will provide a brief review of hypertensive pregnancy disorders and important recent discoveries regarding their pathogeneses, while focusing on current diagnostic and treatment strategies.