Pregnancy-related hypertension rates surge 73 percent in eight years
According to a CDC analysis, the rate of high blood pressure during pregnancy increased by 73 percent from 2016 to 2024, affecting about one in ten pregnant women. Cases of gestational hypertension have been rising since 1989, when the condition was first recorded on birth certificates. Experts say no single cause explains the increase, but the condition can lead to severe complications like preeclampsia.
The CDC analysis tracked birth certificate data showing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy climbed from roughly 6 percent to over 10 percent of births in eight years. Researchers note the condition has been recorded on birth certificates since 1989, and the upward trajectory has continued steadily across demographic groups.
Several overlapping risk factors appear to drive the trend: rising maternal age, increased use of IVF leading to more twin and triplet pregnancies, and higher average body mass indexes among women of childbearing age. The condition can escalate quickly into preeclampsia, which damages organs and remains a leading cause of maternal death in the U.S.
This trend may place growing strain on maternity care systems, particularly for Native American and Black women who face the highest rates. More pregnancies complicated by hypertension could mean more preterm deliveries, longer hospital stays, and greater demand for specialized maternal-fetal medicine. The sudden onset nature of the condition also means routine prenatal visits may not catch all cases, potentially leaving some women unprepared for emergency complications.