Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy: current evidence, short-term and long-term outcomes

Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy remain a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide and represent a significant challenge in contemporary obstetrics. Despite advances in diagnostics, treatment, and screening programs, their prevalence continues to rise, driven by sociodemographic and medical factors such as higher maternal age and increasing rates of comorbidities. Aim: to analyze current scientific literature on the prevalence short-term and long-term outcomes of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, with a particular focus on preeclampsia, and to identify promising strategies for prevention and postpartum follow-up in women affected by these complications. Materials and methods. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, and UpToDate using the keywords: hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia, long-term outcomes, short-term outcomes, maternal cardiovascular risk, offspring, neurodevelopment, postpartum follow-up, cardiovascular prevention. Publications from 2020–2025 were prioritized. The review included systematic reviews, meta-analyses, cohort studies, and clinical guidelines. After exclusions, 70 publications meeting the criteria for relevance, evidence level, and clinical significance were analysed. Results. The review summarizes the main clinical forms of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy – gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia – and highlights an upward trend in prevalence, particularly for gestational hypertension. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence patterns is noted. Reported long-term maternal consequences – including cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological disorders – as well as for their children, who may experience neurodevelopmental and psycho-emotional disturbances. Conclusions. Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy carry substantial short- and long-term health risks for both mother and child. Women with a history of these conditions require structured postpartum follow-up and targeted preventive measures. Children born from such pregnancies may face elevated cardiovascular and neurodevelopmental risks, warranting ongoing monitoring. Implementation of early risk identification, patient education, and a multidisciplinary preventive approach is essential for reducing adverse outcomes.