Longitudinal blood pressure patterns of women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: preconception through postpartum

Abstract

Objective To investigate the longitudinal blood pressure (BP) pattern of women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) preconception through the postpartum day (PPD) 42. Study Design A retrospective study of women (≥15 years old) diagnosed with an HDP antenatally or postpartum, who were enrolled prospectively in a postpartum remote BP monitoring program between 3/2017 and 5/2020. BPs were collected from 47-time points: preconception, each trimester, delivery day, and 42 days postpartum. Analysis was conducted utilizing a mixed-effects longitudinal model. Main outcome measures Primary outcome was the longitudinal BP patterns. Secondary outcomes were the timing of BP stabilization (BPs < 140/90 mmHg for ≥48 h) and resolution (stabilized without antihypertensive medication use). Results Our final analysis included 897 of the 964 eligible women. The peak systolic and diastolic BPs were on PPDs 3, 4, 5, and 5, 6, 7, respectively. Systolic BP fell below the preconception level after PPD15; diastolic BP reached its plateau after PPD17 and remained above the preconception level till PPD42 (p < .001). Postpartum BP peaked with the highest percentage of BP spikes on PPDs 4–7. The median survival times to BP stabilization and resolution were PPDs 11 (95% CI: 10–12) and 23 (95% CI: 21–25), respectively. By PPD42, 91.0% and 74.1% of women achieved BP stabilization and resolution, respectively. Conclusion This study data could be used to develop evidence-based recommendations for women with an HDP. Diastolic BPs remaining significantly higher than the preconception level indicates the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease. In our cohort, 26% of women had unresolved hypertension by PPD42, which reinforces the necessity to ensure long-term follow-up.