Chronic hypertension is present in 1-2% of pregnant women. Women with chronic hypertension are at an increased risk of maternal and perinatal complications when compared with normotensive women. It is not uncommon for the women with chronic hypertension to present first time during pregnancy and obstetricians are the first one to encounter them during antenatal checkup. Secondary hypertension is often unrecognised and misdiagnosed thus leading to improper treatment with significant risk to the mother and fetus. It is potentially treatable and timely recognition leads to excellent pregnancy outcome. It is important to look into the causes of chronic hypertension in pregnancy and do individualised management for best outcome.

Chronic hypertension; Secondary hypertension, Pregnancy