Pregnant woman with glowing heart, symbolizing chronic hypertension and pregnancy.

Hidden Heart Risk: How Chronic Hypertension During Pregnancy Affects Your Baby

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals that chronic high blood pressure in pregnant women can cause heart strain and preeclampsia."

Pregnancy is a transformative journey, but for women with chronic hypertension (cHTN), it can present unique challenges. cHTN affects approximately 7% of all pregnancies, making it a significant concern for expectant mothers and healthcare providers alike. While many are aware of the general risks associated with high blood pressure, new research is shedding light on the specific ways cHTN can impact both maternal and fetal health.

A groundbreaking study has revealed that women with cHTN may experience abnormal myocardial strain patterns during pregnancy, leading to adverse perinatal outcomes. This means that the heart muscle itself is working harder and potentially not functioning as efficiently as it should. Early detection of this strain could be crucial in preventing complications such as preeclampsia and preterm delivery.

This article breaks down the key findings of this research, explains what myocardial strain is, and offers practical advice for managing cHTN during pregnancy to safeguard the health of both mother and child.

What is Myocardial Strain and Why Does It Matter?

Pregnant woman with glowing heart, symbolizing chronic hypertension and pregnancy.

Myocardial strain refers to the deformation or change in shape of the heart muscle during each contraction. It’s a measure of how well the heart is pumping blood. Think of it like stretching a rubber band: if the rubber band (heart muscle) is too tight or weak, it won’t stretch properly, affecting its ability to snap back and perform its job effectively.

In pregnant women with cHTN, this strain can become abnormal due to the increased demands on the cardiovascular system. Pregnancy naturally increases blood volume and cardiac output, and for women already dealing with high blood pressure, this can overwork the heart.

Increased Cardiac Output: Pregnancy requires the heart to pump 30-50% more blood.
Systemic Vascular Resistance: Normally decreases during pregnancy, but may not in women with cHTN.
Plasma Volume: Increases to support fetal development, adding extra load on the heart.

To measure myocardial strain, doctors use a technique called speckle-tracking echocardiography. This non-invasive test uses ultrasound to track the movement of unique “speckles” in the heart muscle as it contracts. By measuring the distance between these speckles, doctors can assess how well the heart is functioning.

The Takeaway: Proactive Heart Health for a Healthy Pregnancy

If you have chronic hypertension and are planning a pregnancy, early and consistent monitoring of your heart health is essential. Regular check-ups, echocardiograms, and close collaboration with your healthcare team can help detect any early signs of myocardial strain and allow for timely intervention. Remember, a healthy heart supports a healthy pregnancy, paving the way for a brighter future for both you and your baby.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What is chronic hypertension during pregnancy, and why is it important to be aware of?

Chronic hypertension (cHTN) during pregnancy refers to high blood pressure that exists before pregnancy or develops before the 20th week of gestation. It's significant because it affects approximately 7% of all pregnancies and can lead to complications affecting both the mother and the baby. Unlike gestational hypertension, which develops later in pregnancy, cHTN requires careful management from the outset to minimize risks.

What is myocardial strain, and why is it a concern for pregnant women with chronic hypertension?

Myocardial strain is the measure of the deformation or change in shape of the heart muscle during each contraction, reflecting how efficiently the heart is pumping blood. It matters because in pregnant women with chronic hypertension (cHTN), the heart has to work harder due to increased blood volume and cardiac output. Detecting abnormal myocardial strain early can help prevent complications like preeclampsia and preterm delivery.

How do doctors measure myocardial strain, and what does this test involve?

Speckle-tracking echocardiography is a non-invasive ultrasound technique used to measure myocardial strain. Doctors track the movement of unique "speckles" in the heart muscle as it contracts. By measuring the distance between these speckles, they can assess how well the heart is functioning. This method helps in early detection of heart strain in pregnant women with chronic hypertension (cHTN).

What is preeclampsia, and how does chronic hypertension increase the risk of it during pregnancy?

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the kidneys or liver. In the context of chronic hypertension (cHTN), the risk of developing preeclampsia is heightened because the existing high blood pressure puts additional strain on the cardiovascular system. Early detection of myocardial strain and proactive management of cHTN are essential to mitigate this risk.

What steps should I take if I have chronic hypertension and am planning to become pregnant?

If you have chronic hypertension (cHTN) and are planning a pregnancy, it's crucial to have early and consistent monitoring of your heart health. Regular check-ups, echocardiograms, and close collaboration with your healthcare team can help detect any early signs of myocardial strain and allow for timely intervention. Managing cHTN involves lifestyle modifications, medication adjustments, and vigilant monitoring to ensure a healthy pregnancy for both you and your baby.