A woman who had gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia leaves pregnancy with a raised lifelong cardiovascular risk. The postnatal review is the first chance to act on it.
Measure and record blood pressure, check whether antihypertensives can be reduced or stopped, and write the diagnosis clearly in the discharge or GP record so it is not lost. Arrange an annual blood pressure check and a cardiovascular risk assessment, and discuss low-dose aspirin from early in any next pregnancy.
- Record a blood pressure at the six-week review, every time.
- Code the hypertensive disorder in the long-term record.
- Arrange yearly blood pressure checks and periodic lipid and glucose screening.
- Discuss aspirin from 12 weeks in a future pregnancy.
Why it matters
A hypertensive pregnancy is an early cardiovascular warning that is easy to lose between maternity and primary care.
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