Pregnancy hypertension cases rise 73% since 2016

CDC data shows that the rate of high blood pressure among pregnant women rose 73 percent between 2016 and 2024, climbing from about 40 cases per 1,000 births in 2016 to roughly 68 cases per 1,000 in 2024. The spike is troubling because pregnancy‑related hypertension—especially preeclampsia—remains a leading cause of maternal death and can cause serious complications for newborns, including low birth weight and preterm delivery.

The trend reflects several intertwined factors. Women are giving birth at older ages, and the prevalence of obesity and type‑2 diabetes has surged, both of which raise the risk of hypertension. Stress from socioeconomic pressures, changes in work‑life balance, and reduced access to preventive care in some communities also contribute. While part of the rise may stem from more frequent screening and tighter diagnostic criteria, the overall increase signals a real shift in the health profile of pregnant people. Long‑term, hypertension during pregnancy is linked to higher rates of heart disease and stroke later in life, adding a chronic‑health burden to the acute risks.

Health officials are calling for a coordinated response. The CDC recommends routine blood‑pressure checks early in pregnancy and at each prenatal visit, along with lifestyle counseling on diet, exercise, and weight management. Hospitals are urged to expand access to low‑dose aspirin for high‑risk patients and to improve monitoring for preeclampsia. On a policy level, insurers are being encouraged to cover preventive services and to support community‑based programs that target nutrition and physical activity among women of childbearing age. If these measures are adopted broadly, they could curb the trend and reduce both immediate pregnancy complications and the long‑term cardiovascular risks for mothers.