Hypertensive disorders are heterogeneous, multifactorial disorders. They
affect more than 10% pregnancies worldwide. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are
divided into four groups such as chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, white
coat hypertension and preeclampsia. The underlying mechanism is still unclear.
Inflammation, impaired redox balance, vasoactive substances, changes in reninangiotensin
system and genetic factors play a role in the development of hypertensive
disorders. Screening methods are important for early detection of hypertensive
disorders because of further undesirable outcomes. Therapies of diseases are important
for mother and fetus. Some of the drugs are used for first line therapy and the others for
second line therapy. However, existing therapies are not fully successful due to adverse
effects of drugs. Today some of the drugs such as, small molecules, antioxidants and
vitamins used for experimental research are focused on halt proposal pathobiochemical
mechanisms however, further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms
and preventive therapy. This chapter summarizes risk factors and their related
mechanisms, screening methods and proposal therapies of hypertensive disorders in
pregnancy.
Keywords: Antihypertensive drugs, Alternative treatment, Blood pressure,
Carbon monoxide, Chronic hypertension, Endoglin, Endothelial dysfunction,
Gestational hypertension, Growth factors, HELLP syndrome, Inflammation,
Maternal genes, Nitric oxide, Paternal genes, Polymorphism, Placental ischemia,
Preeclampsia, Pregnancy, Redox balance, Vitamin D.
