Hypertension measurement in pregnancy
Ethnicity and hypertension
Medication adverse events and hypertension
Drs. Karen Tran and Wee-Shian Chan are developing and testing new methods to detect and monitor hypertensive disorders in pregnant women. Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy account for a majority of maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Key gaps exist in how blood pressure is measured in pregnant women compared to those who not pregnant. They are launching a national study to examine how modernized fully automated oscillometric blood pressure devices and home blood pressure monitoring may provide more accurate assessment of blood pressure in these high-risk women. With more accurate and earlier detection of high blood pressure, the researchers may be able to institute earlier interventions to improve health outcomes in moms and their babies. The next step is to see if they can innovate how blood pressure is monitored at home to ensure that women are provided with the best maternal care for themselves and their new baby.