Table 2.

Recommendations for the management of hypertension

Recommendations	Class of recommendation	Level of evidence
Non-pharmacological management for pregnant women with systolic BP of 140-150 mmHg or diastolic BP of 90-99 mmHg is recommended.	I	C
In women with gestational hypertension or pre-existing hypertension superimposed by gestational hypertension or with hypertension and subclinical organ damage or symptoms at any time during pregnancy, initiation of drug treatment is recommended at a BP of 140/90 mmHg. In any other circumstances, initiation of drug treatment is recommended if SBP ≥150 mmHg or DBP ≥95 mmHg.	I	C
Systolic BP ≥170 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥110 mmHg in a pregnant woman is an emergency, and hospitalization is recommended.	I	C
Induction of delivery is recommended in gestational hypertension with proteinuria with adverse conditions such as visual disturbances, coagulation abnormalities, or fetal distress	I	C
In preeclampsia associated with pulmonary edema, nitroglycerine given as an intravenous infusion, is recommended.	I	C
In severe hypertension, drug treatment with intravenous labetalol or oral methyldopa or nifedipine is recommended.	I	C
Women with pre-existing hypertension should be considered to continue their current medication except for ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and direct renin inhibitors under close BP-monitoring	IIa	C

From: ESC Guidelines on the management of cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy (46).

BP; Blood pressure, SBP; Systolic blood pressure, DBP; Diastolic blood pressure, ACE; Angiotensin converting enzyme, and ARB; Angiotensin receptor blocker.