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Pre-existing hypertension is associated with depression in pregnant women

 
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Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
 
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23 November 2011, 15:50

Women with a history of high blood pressure before pregnancy have a higher risk of developing depression than women who develop hypertension during pregnancy, a new study suggests.

"Depression during pregnancy is associated with postpartum depression, problems with maternal-infant bonding, and overall negative health effects for both," said study author Wayne Caton of the University of Washington.

The study included 2,398 women receiving prenatal care at an obstetrics clinic in Seattle, Washington, and assessed their depressive symptoms and pre-existing or pregnancy-induced hypertension.

During pregnancy, 13% of women had hypertension. 70% of cases of hypertension during pregnancy were due to physiological changes that occur during pregnancy; after delivery, blood pressure returns to normal. 5-7% of pregnant women developed a life-threatening condition known as preeclampsia, a severe form of hypertension in pregnancy that can lead to premature birth.

Previous studies have suggested that there may be a link between depression, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and preeclampsia. However, the study did not confirm such a link. Instead, it found that women with hypertension before pregnancy, with or without developing preeclampsia, were 55 to 65 percent more likely to develop depression.

Many women who have high blood pressure before pregnancy also have other risk factors, including diabetes and obesity, Cato noted: "Depression can significantly interfere with a pregnant mother's ability to manage her diet, exercise and medications, putting the health of both mother and baby at risk."

"As far as I know, very few obstetricians do any depression screening during prenatal care," Cato said. "They do screen for hypertension. It's important for women with preexisting hypertension to be screened for depression within four months, given the risk of adverse birth outcomes and non-adherence to hypertension treatment."

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