The management of pregnant patients with non-severe hypertension (either chronic or pregnancy related) has been somewhat controversial in the past. Pregnant patients with systolic BP 140-159 and/or diastolic of 90-109 were advised treatment in some guidelines, but not in others as it was felt that benefits did not clearly outweigh risks.

The 2022 Control of Mild Hypertension During Pregnancy Trial (CHAP) evaluated treatment of mild chronic hypertension during pregnancy, based on a systolic blood pressure of ≥140 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg. Their results demonstrated beneficial outcomes in those treated for hypertension at lower cut-offs.

There was a reduction in the incidence of pre-eclampsia, pre-term birth and the development of severe hypertension. There was also no increase in risk for intrauterine growth retardation.

Read the abstract on Pubmed.