Do lower antenatal blood pressure cut-offs in pregnant women with obesity identify those at greater risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes? A secondary analysis of data from the UK Pregnancies Better Eating and Activity Trial (UPBEAT).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Obesity is a major risk-factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. While the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) classification of normal and abnormal blood pressure (BP) outside pregnancy has been suggested for use in pregnancy, the impact on adverse outcomes has not been examined specifically in women with obesity.

Methods

The UK Pregnancies Better Eating and Activity Trial (UPBEAT) enroled women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m². In secondary analyses, maximal antenatal BP was categorised by 2017 ACC/AHA criteria: 'Normal' BP (systolic [sBP] <120 mmHg and diastolic [dBP] <80 mmHg), 'Elevated' BP (sBP 120-129 mmHg and dBP <80 mmHg), 'Stage 1 hypertension' (sBP 130-139 mmHg and/or dBP 80-89 mmHg), and 'Stage 2 hyp

SUBMITTER: Slade L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12396956 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature