Short- and long-term strategies for the management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Abstract

The hypertensive disorders of pregnancy include gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, both de novo and superimposed on chronic hypertension. These disorders occur frequently among pregnant woman and are important contributors to maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. In this review, we will focus on recent developments in the prediction and pathogenesis of these disorders, prevention of preeclampsia and current strategies for the treatment of hypertension in pregnancy. We also explore the evidence relating adverse pregnancy outcome to an increased future risk of cardiovascular disease and potential strategies to minimize this risk.