Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRisk FactorsTimingSymptomsTreatmentManagement
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Risk Factors
Timing
Symptoms
Treatment
Management
Postpartum hypertension is high blood pressure that begins after giving birth. Some people develop it due to pregnancy-related conditions like preeclampsia. These conditions affect 10% to 20% of pregnancies, and 28% of people with these conditions may develop high blood pressure within two years after delivery.Others can develop postpartum hypertension without a history of preeclampsia.
SDI Productions / Getty Images
Hypertensive Conditions During and After PregnancyThese terms help explain the differences between hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and after childbirth:Gestational hypertension: High blood pressure during pregnancy of 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or higher without organ damage or protein in the urine.Preeclampsia: High blood pressure during pregnancy, usually after 20 weeks, protein in the urine or organ damage.Eclampsia: Severe untreated preeclampsia leading to seizures and organ damage. It can occur during pregnancy, labor, or up to 48 hours after delivery.Postpartum hypertension: High blood pressure after childbirth, with or without preeclampsia during pregnancy.
Hypertensive Conditions During and After Pregnancy
These terms help explain the differences between hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and after childbirth:Gestational hypertension: High blood pressure during pregnancy of 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or higher without organ damage or protein in the urine.Preeclampsia: High blood pressure during pregnancy, usually after 20 weeks, protein in the urine or organ damage.Eclampsia: Severe untreated preeclampsia leading to seizures and organ damage. It can occur during pregnancy, labor, or up to 48 hours after delivery.Postpartum hypertension: High blood pressure after childbirth, with or without preeclampsia during pregnancy.
These terms help explain the differences between hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and after childbirth:
Risk Factors for Postpartum Preeclampsia
With a History of Preeclampsia
Most cases of preeclampsia occur in healthy people in their first pregnancy with no known risk factors. Around 10% to 20% of people with pregnancy-related high blood pressure have lasting issues. Preeclampsia can strain your blood vessels, heart, and kidneys and cause fluid retention. All of these factors may keep your blood pressure high after childbirth.
Risk factors for postpartum hypertension include:
Without Preeclampsia
Postpartumhypertensioncan also occur without the diagnosis of preeclampsia. In this case, there is the presence of elevated blood pressure without any other symptoms.
Timing of Postpartum Hypertension
Postpartum hypertension usually starts between three and seven days after delivery. It can develop up to three months later and, in some cases, as late as two years, especially for those with pregnancy-related hypertension.
Postpartum preeclampsia typically appears within 48 hours, with the highest risk in the six weeks after delivery.
Symptoms Associated With High Blood Pressure
Commonsymptomsof high blood pressure include:
If your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher but you don’t have protein in your urine or organ damage, it’s likely not preeclampsia. However, if your blood pressure reaches 160/110 mmHg or higher and you have these symptoms, it could be postpartum preeclampsia:
Treatment Options
Lifestyle and Habits
The following lifestyle adjustments can help lower blood pressure:
Medications
For mild to moderate high blood pressure (150/100 mm Hg or higher), healthcare providers may prescribe oral medications such as:
In severe cases (greater than or equal to 160/110 mmHg), providers recommend immediate intravenous medication like:
Postpartum hypertension usually resolves within six to 12 weeks, but in some cases, high blood pressure can persist, leading to chronic hypertension.If you have a history of hypertensive disorders, it’s important to monitor your health and make lifestyle changes to reduce future risk.
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy increase your risk of later cardiovascular (heart) disease and may warrant a referral to a cardiologist (heart doctor) for further follow-up.
You should keep track of your blood pressure and weight at home and schedule yearly checkups. Regular cardiovascular disease, stroke, and blood clot screenings are also important.
When and How to Get a Blood Pressure Reading
Contact your provider if your blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher or if you experience headaches or blurred vision.
Summary
Postpartum hypertension happens when high blood pressure develops after giving birth, either due to pregnancy-related conditions like preeclampsia or without prior hypertension. You can manage it through lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management or with medications for more severe cases. In emergencies, quick medical treatment may be necessary to lower blood pressure.
It’s essential to monitor your blood pressure closely after delivery and follow up with your healthcare provider to keep it under control. Long-term care, including annual blood pressure checks and cardiovascular screenings, helps reduce future risks.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hauspurg A, Jeyabalan A.Postpartum preeclampsia or eclampsia: defining its place and management among the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2022;226(2S):S1211-S1221. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2020.10.027
Nguyen THA Nguyen MT, Truong TH.Predictors of persistent postpartum hypertension among women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a prospective cohort study.Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health. 2024;28, 101650. doi:10.1016/j.cegh.2024.101650
Lovgren T, Connealy B, Yao R, D Dahlke J.Postpartum medical management of hypertension and risk of readmission for hypertensive complications.J Hypertens. 2023;41(2):351-355. doi:10.1097/HJH.0000000000003340
Paladine HL, Blenning CE, Strangas Y.Postpartum care: An approach to the fourth trimester.Am Fam Physician.2019;100(8):485-491
Melchiorre K, Thilaganathan B, Giorgione V, Ridder A, Memmo A, Khalil A.Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and future cardiovascular health.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2020;7:59. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2020.00059.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Optimizing postpartum care.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
