High blood pressure is a common condition that occurs with pregnancy. One form, gestational hypertension, has become substantially more common in the United States, a new report has found.
The rate of gestational hypertension increased 73% between 2016 and 2024, and more than 1 in 10 women giving birth in 2024 had it, according to the report published on July 29 by the US National Center for Health Statistics.
Why is this condition concerning, who is most at risk, and what can people do to prevent and treat it?
To help us understand the findings and what pregnant patients should know about this form of hypertension, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen. Wen is an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University. She previously served as Baltimore’s health commissioner.
Keeping track of long-term health conditions while you're pregnant can help reduce the risk of gestational hypertension. skynesher/Getty Images
