Hypertensive disorders complicate 5 to 10% of all pregnancies and hypertension is a major pregnancy complication associated with both fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Measurement of brachial blood pressure (BP) is a routine clinical assessment tool for management of various hypertensive disorders. Systolic pressure varies throughout the vasculature; aortic systolic pressure [or central blood pressure (CBP)] is actually lower than that of systolic BP in brachial artery. Central to peripheral pressure difference is highly variable among individuals. In various studies, it has been reported that CBP is a better predictor of cardiovascular events as compared with peripheral BP. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are associated with increased arterial stiffness indices, both during and after pregnancy leading to differences in central and peripheral pressures. In this article, the issues related to importance of CBP measurement for management of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy have been discussed.
How to cite this article
Priyadarsini N, Singh SC, Goyal M, Mahapatra SC. Central Blood Pressure: Current Evidence and Clinical Importance in Hypertensive Disorders during Pregnancy. Hypertens J 2017;3(4):173-177.