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Who Is Affected by Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
High blood pressure develops in about 10% of all pregnancies in the United States.1
Preeclampsia occurs in 2% to 8% of all pregnancies.2 In some populations and environments, higher rates have been reported. Preeclampsia most often affects women who:
- Are pregnant for the first time or have not been pregnant for 10 or more years.3
- Have a family history of preeclampsia.
- Are younger than 21 or older than 35.
- Are more than 20% over their ideal body weight. If your weight is within this range, the higher your prepregnancy body mass index, the greater your preeclampsia risk.4
- Do not see their doctors for prenatal checkups regularly.
Less than 1% of women with preeclampsia develop seizures (eclampsia).5
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: November 3, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine William Gilbert, MD - Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine | |
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