Ascension St. John has launched a Maternal Hypertension Clinic focused on specialized cardiovascular care before, during and after pregnancy, including postpartum cases like severe blood-pressure spikes after delivery.
Dr. Addison E. McGinn, a cardio-obstetrics specialist leading the clinic, said hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among the most common conditions she treats and a major driver of maternal illness and death.
Maggie Sharum returned to the hospital one week after giving birth with dangerously escalating blood pressure, was admitted for treatment, and said follow-up cardiac care helped restore her health within six months postpartum.
Hypertensive disorders such as gestational hypertension and preeclampsia affect 5% to 16% of pregnancies and can raise a mother's risk of later-life heart disease, making continued monitoring important beyond childbirth.
Oklahoma provides a stark backdrop: it has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the U.S., and about 70% of pregnancy-related deaths in the state are considered preventable.
Could a specialized maternal hypertension clinic prevent more postpartum emergencies, or should every mother get routine heart-focused monitoring after delivery?
Why can life-threatening postpartum hypertension strike after a normal pregnancy, and are new mothers missing the warning signs in the first week home?