The prevalence of postpartum hypertension in black women

Abstract

SummaryA cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of hypertension in black women during the first 24 hours postpartum. The obstetric records of 1455 black women who delivered at a tertiary care centre were reviewed for two or more documented diastolic blood pressure readings of 90 mm Hg or more during the 24 hours after delivery. It was noted whether the hypertension was mild (diastolic blood pressure 90–109 mm Hg) or severe (diastolic blood pressure ≥ 110 mm Hg). Elevated blood pressure readings were found in 564 patients (40.5 per cent). Patients with mild and severe hypertension had had significantly more caesarean sections (difference, 17 and 33 per cent respectively), those with severe hypertension had an increased perinatal mortality rate (difference, 122/1000) and smaller babies (difference, 797 g) when compared with normotensive patients. The unusually high prevalence of hypertension found during the postpartum period indicates the need for close observation of all women d...