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Risks of Chronic Hypertension During Pregnancy

Risks of Chronic Hypertension During Pregnancy

Most risks are not increased for most women with mild chronic hypertension if there are no other complications. However, if hypertension is severe, if there are other conditions such as diabetes, or if preeclampsia develops along with chronic hypertension, risks are much greater for mother and baby.

Risks of severe chronic hypertension in pregnancy may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Blood pressure increasing
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Bleeding in the brain
  • Kidney failure
  • Placental abruption (early detachment of the placenta from the uterus)
  • Blood clotting disorder

Risks to the fetus and newborn depend on the severity of the disease and may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) — decreased fetal growth due to poor placental blood flow.
  • Preterm birth (before 37 weeks of pregnancy)
  • Stillbirth

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.

Closed Trials

Clinics for Causes