High blood pressure is lethal during pregnancy and can be life-threatening for both the mother and baby. Unfortunately, it is on the rise worldwide. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a chronic condition that occurs when the pressure of blood in arteries is consistently too high. It could lead to stroke and even death. Notably, studies have shown that rates of newly developed and chronic maternal high blood pressure have roughly doubled since 2007. Moreover, many pregnant women are suffering from conditions like preeclampsia and eclampsia. Efforts to Address Rising Maternal Blood Pressure Risks Yield Positive ResultsIn response to the alarming rise in high blood pressure among pregnant and postpartum patients, medical experts have taken significant steps to improve care standards. In 2022, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) lowered the threshold for when treatment should be initiated, emphasizing the need for proactive management of hypertension during pregnancy. Federal agencies have also rolled out training programs to equip healthcare providers with best practices for screening and treatment.Notably, federal data indicates a decline in maternal deaths attributed to high blood pressure in states like Alaska and West Virginia following the implementation of these new guidelines. However, translating these standards into everyday clinical practice remains a challenge, with hospitals still striving to adopt measures that could have potentially saved lives.Take the case of Mary Collins, a patient who, despite not exhibiting typical risk factors for preeclampsia—such as being over 35 or overweight—has been affected by the increasing prevalence of hypertension during pregnancy. Experts are still investigating the underlying causes of this trend, as reported by NPR. In Montana, where federal patient safety guidelines were adopted last year, progress is evident. More than two-thirds of hospitals now provide timely care to patients, a significant increase from just over half before 2022, according to Annie Glover, a senior research scientist with the Montana Perinatal Quality Collaborative. As hospitals continue to implement these vital changes, the hope is to further reduce maternal health risks and improve outcomes for pregnant individuals across the nation.