Caring for Patients with Gestational Hypertensive Disorders: Essential Takeaways

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are a group of conditions—including chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia with and without end-organ damage, and acute complications, which include HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) syndrome and eclampsia—that could lead to severely adverse outcomes for both mother and fetus. The incidence of HDP has increased, affecting one out of seven delivery hospitalizations. Physicians should be aware of HDP for early identification and proper treatment to improve patient outcomes.