Chronic Medical Conditions:  Hypertension                        

Page 2 of 15    

 

Establishing a diagnosis of chronic HTN before pregnancy is important (see section below).

 

The physiologic hemodynamic effects of pregnancy can result in falsely normal blood pressure measurements as early as 16 weeks. Hypertensive blood pressure measurements will likely not be seen again until the third trimester; any elevation before then would likely establish a diagnosis of gestational HTN.

 

 

Diagnosis of Chronic HTN

 

Documented >2 properly measured BP readings on >2 office visits

“Properly measured” entails:

seated upright position

>10 minutes rest prior to taking BP

appropriate size cuff used (1.5 times upper arm circumference or a cuff large enough that bladder encompasses >80% arm)

>30 minutes since last use of caffeine or tobacco