Late-Gestation Elevated BP and Its Link to Long-Term Hypertension

A study published in the February 2025 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology has shown that high blood pressure (BP) during the early third trimester of pregnancy is strongly predictive of developing hypertension later in life.

Researchers in the United States analyzed data from the prospective Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome Follow-Up Study (HAPO FUS) to examine the association between BP in the early third trimester and hypertension 10-14 years after childbirth. The study included 4697 participants without a previous diagnosis of chronic hypertension. BP measurements taken during the early third trimester were compared with those recorded 10-14 years after delivery.

At a median postpartum age of 41.6 years, 8.3% of participants had raised BP, 14.1% had stage 1 hypertension, and 6.1% had stage 2 hypertension. Elevated BP in the early third trimester was associated with nearly a threefold higher risk of developing stage 1 hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.76). The risk of stage 2 hypertension was nearly four times higher (aOR 3.76). Additionally, participants with stage 1 hypertension had more than six times greater likelihood of progressing to stage 2 hypertension (aOR 6.16).

These findings emphasize the importance of early BP monitoring during pregnancy and long-term cardiovascular care for women with elevated BP in the third trimester.

Reference

1.   Venkatesh KK, et al. Blood pressure in pregnancy and hypertension 10-14 years after delivery. Obstet Gynecol. 2025 Feb 1;145(2):217-219. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005803.