Types of hypertension in pregnancy | Symptoms and Diagnosis | Treatment and Prevention

Causes and Risk Factors of Hypertension in Pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa

By: Dr. Azuka Ezeike, MBBS, FWACS (Obstetrics and Gynaecology), MSc (Public Health), Freelance Medical Writer.  Medically reviewed By: Dr. ‘Kunle Soyemi. MBBS, FWACS; FRCOG. Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist.

A black pregnant woman having blood pressure check.

Several conditions can increase the likelihood of having chronic hypertension or other variants. [3, 4]        

Risk Factors for Chronic Hypertension     

Non-modifiable Risk Factors

• Increasing age
• Family history: this is usually associated with essential hypertension.
• Coexisting chronic disease, e.g., Diabetes or Kidney disease

Modifiable Risk Factors

• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Too much salt in the diet
• Consuming too much alcohol

Risk Factors for Gestational Hypertension, Preeclampsia and Eclampsia

You are at risk if:

• You are pregnant for the first time pregnancy
• Your pregnancy is from a new husband or partner
• You’ve had preeclampsia in a past pregnancy: The risk is up to 7 times.
• You are greater than 40 or less than 20 years
• There is someone in your family with a history of preeclampsia.
• You are of the black race
• Your last pregnancy was more than 10 years
• You are overweight or obese
• You have chronic hypertension
• You have other diseases like kidney disease, diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, thrombophilia, lupus, sickle cell disease
• You are pregnant with two babies or more
• You conceived through Invitro fertilisation (IVF) with donor eggs or sperm

How common is Hypertension in Pregnancy in SSA?

It is estimated that 1.28 billion adults have hypertension with up to two-thirds living in low- and middle-income countries. About 10% of all pregnancies are complicated by hypertension. Preeclampsia and eclampsia account for up to half of these.

In Africa, Hypertension in pregnancy affects about 1 in 10 pregnancies. Worldwide it is responsible for up to 14% of maternal deaths and in Africa, It accounts for 22.1% of maternal deaths, second only to haemorrhage. 

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References

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Watch this video to learn more about Hypertension in Pregnancy

Published: October 25, 2024

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