Over 80% of postpartum patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy experience persistent hypertension after hospital discharge, with14% developing severe hypertension, according to new study findings.
The cohort study, published in JAMA Cardiology, examined postpartum blood pressure (BP) monitoring in 2,705 patients with new-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP)—including preeclampsia and gestational hypertension—who were enrolled in a remote BP monitoring program at a referral hospital between September 2019 and June 2021.
Continuous BP data facilitated timely interventions, such as medication adjustments and increased clinical follow-ups, which helped manage hypertensive episodes and reduce the need for emergency care and readmissions.
The primary outcomes measured included hospital readmissions and ED visits within 6 weeks postpartum. The patients with severe postpartum hypertension demonstrated higher odds of ED visits (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.17–2.92) and hospital readmissions (adjusted OR = 6.75, 95% CI = 3.43–13.29).
The study findings indicated the significance of remote BP monitoring programs for postpartum individuals with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and emphasized the need for further research to establish effective BP thresholds for antihypertensive medication initiation.
Full disclosures can be found in the original study.