Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure (at or above 140/90 mm Hg) during pregnancy without protein in the urine or other heart or kidney problems.³² It is typically diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy or close to delivery and usually goes away after birth. Gestational hypertension occurs in about 1 in every 12 to 17 pregnancies among women ages 20 to 44 in the United States.³³ The condition can result in adverse health outcomes for the mother, including preeclampsia, stroke, and placental abruption (when the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus).^{32, 34} Adverse health outcomes for the infant include preterm birth, low birthweight, fetal growth restriction, and fetal and infant mortality.^{32, 34} Gestational hypertension varies by demographic factors, such as race and Hispanic origin, and maternal age.

Figure 19. Rate of gestational hypertension by maternal race and Hispanic origin, 2016–2022

• From 2016 to 2022, the rate of women with gestational hypertension increased from 60 to 95 per 1,000 live births.
• For American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic women, the rate of gestational hypertension did not change significantly from 2016 to 2018 and then increased through 2022.
• For Asian, non-Hispanic and White, non-Hispanic women, the rate of gestational hypertension increased from 2016 to 2022.
• For Black, non-Hispanic women and Hispanic women, the rate of gestational hypertension increased from 2016 to 2020 and then did not change significantly from 2020 to 2022.
• For Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic women, the rate did not change significantly from 2016 to 2022.
• In 2022, the rate of gestational hypertension was highest for American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic women (119 per 1,000), followed by Black, non-Hispanic (112 per 1,000), White, non-Hispanic (103 per 1,000), Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic (89 per 1,000), Hispanic (78 per 1,000), and Asian, non-Hispanic (63 per 1,000) women.

Figure 20. Rate of gestational hypertension by maternal age, 2016–2022

• From 2016 to 2022, the rate of gestational hypertension increased for all age groups, except for women ages 30–34.
• Among women ages 30–34, the rate of gestational hypertension increased from 2016 to 2020 and then did not change significantly from 2020 to 2022.
• In 2022, the rate of gestational hypertension was highest for women age 40 and over (113 per 1,000), followed by women ages 35–39 (98 per 1,000) and 20–24 (96 per 1,000). The rate of gestational hypertension was lowest for women ages 25–29 (94 per 1,000); adolescents ages 15–19 (93 per 1,000); and women ages 30–34 (92 per 1,000).

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