Hypertension in Pregnancy-Preeclampsia

Hypertensive disorders are heterogeneous, multifactorial disorders. They affect more than 10% pregnancies worldwide. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are divided into four groups such as chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, white coat hypertension and preeclampsia. The underlying mechanism is still unclear. Inflammation, impaired redox balance, vasoactive substances, changes in reninangiotensin system and genetic factors play a role in the development of hypertensive disorders. Screening methods are important for early detection of hypertensive disorders because of further undesirable outcomes. Therapies of diseases are important for mother and fetus. Some of the drugs are used for first line therapy and the others for second line therapy. However, existing therapies are not fully successful due to adverse effects of drugs. Today some of the drugs such as, small molecules, antioxidants and vitamins used for experimental research are focused on halt proposal pathobiochemical mechanisms however, further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms and preventive therapy. This chapter summarizes risk factors and their related mechanisms, screening methods and proposal therapies of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

Keywords: Antihypertensive drugs, Alternative treatment, Blood pressure, Carbon monoxide, Chronic hypertension, Endoglin, Endothelial dysfunction, Gestational hypertension, Growth factors, HELLP syndrome, Inflammation, Maternal genes, Nitric oxide, Paternal genes, Polymorphism, Placental ischemia, Preeclampsia, Pregnancy, Redox balance, Vitamin D.