Postpartum hypertension may represent the continuation of an antenatal hypertensive
disease, or a disorder presenting de novo after delivery. Although its true
prevalence is difficult to ascertain, complications of severe postpartum hypertension
include stroke, eclampsia and death.
Key messages
􀃎 It is unclear whether women with antenatal hypertension, including preeclampsia,
should routinely receive postpartum antihypertensive therapy.
􀃎 It is also unclear whether women with mild to moderate postpartum
hypertension should be treated. If so, it isnot known which drug is preferable.
􀃎 Future studies of prevention or treatment of postpartum hypertension should
include maternal and neonatal relevant outcomes as well as side effects.