Pregnancy-related high blood pressure in the U.S. has increased by 73% [1] since 2016 [2].

This sharp rise signals a growing public health risk for pregnant people and their babies. Because hypertensive disorders can lead to severe complications, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued the warning to prompt increased vigilance and care.

Data from the National Center for Health Statistics indicate the trend is not isolated to specific regions. Every state shows higher rates of high blood pressure during pregnancy compared with 2016 levels, a data analyst said [3].

Dr. Tara Narula, a health expert, said "pregnancy-related high blood pressure has risen 73% since 2016" [1]. The CDC report, which was released in 2024, highlights a systemic increase in these conditions across the country.

Researchers have observed a steady increase in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy over the past decade, a lead researcher said [4]. This trend suggests that the factors contributing to high blood pressure during pregnancy are becoming more prevalent or more severe on a national scale.

Medical professionals emphasize that monitoring blood pressure is critical during prenatal care. Early detection allows for interventions that can prevent life-threatening complications for both the parent and the fetus.

“Pregnancy-related high blood pressure has risen 73% since 2016.”

The universal increase in hypertensive disorders across all 50 states suggests that the drivers of this trend are likely systemic rather than regional. This could be linked to broader public health trends, such as rising rates of obesity, chronic hypertension in adults, or changes in maternal age and demographics. The CDC's emphasis on this data indicates a need for standardized screening and more aggressive management of blood pressure in prenatal care to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity.