What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to identify best practices for monitoring and managing postpartum blood pressure to reduce maternal mortality.

January 17, 2026Pregnancy0 citationsOpen Access

Postpartum blood pressure monitoring and management: Critical findings from an expert convening

KHKara K. HoppePreventive Cardiology NSNeha SachdevAmerican Medical Association KMKlodiana MyftariAmerican Medical Association

Key Result

Initiating antihypertensive therapy for BP ≥140/90 mmHg postpartum is critical, as over 50% of hypertension-related deaths occur after delivery.

Key Points

This research aims to identify best practices for monitoring and managing postpartum blood pressure to reduce maternal mortality.
Expert convening hosted by the American Medical Association
Discussion of clinical practices for postpartum blood pressure monitoring
Recommendation development for antihypertensive therapy initiation
Recommendations for self-measured blood pressure and remote patient monitoring
More than 50% of hypertension-related deaths occur postpartum
80% of maternal mortality cases are preventable through proper management
Key recommendations include daily BP monitoring for at least 2 weeks postpartum
Antihypertensive therapy should be initiated for BP ≥140/90 mmHg postdelivery

Structured PICO

Population

Postpartum patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP)

Intervention

Postpartum blood pressure monitoring and management clinical practices, including self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) and remote patient monitoring (RPM)

Outcome

Expert consensus on clinical practices for postpartum BP monitoring and management

An expert convening established critical consensus findings for postpartum hypertension care, emphasizing a treatment threshold of ≥140/90 mmHg and the necessity of home blood pressure monitoring devices for all patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Abstract Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are significant contributors to maternal morbidity and mortality, impacting an estimated 15.9% of delivery hospitalizations in the United States. More than 50% of hypertension‐related deaths occur postpartum, and it is estimated that 80% of maternal mortality cases are preventable. Given this, the American Medical Association hosted a convening of experts to discuss and identify areas of consensus on postpartum blood pressure (BP) monitoring and management clinical practices, including the use of self‐measured blood pressure (SMBP) and remote patient monitoring (RPM). Key recommendations include initiating antihypertensive therapy for BP ≥140/90 mmHg postdelivery, maintaining inpatient monitoring for at least 12 h after medication adjustment, providing all HDP patients with home BP devices and education at discharge, post‐discharge BP monitoring should be a minimum of once daily for at least 2 weeks postpartum, treatment protocols are recommended prior to implementation of home BP monitoring, and a coordinated transfer of care should be facilitated to a primary care provider for all patients with an HDP. While SMBP or RPM shows promise for improving outcomes, evidence for guidelines remains limited. The authors strongly recommend and support the need for further research to establish evidence for guidelines to support broad‐scale improvement in postpartum BP monitoring and management.

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