Oral health professionals should be aware of hypertensive disorders because of increased risk of bleeding during procedures and should consult with the prenatal care provider before initiating dental procedures in women with uncontrolled severe hypertension. Blood pressure values of greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg are considered mild hypertension and values greater than or equal to 160/110 mmHg are considered severe hypertension. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including chronic or preexisting hypertension and the development of hypertension during pregnancy, occur in 12 to 22 percent of pregnancies (11). Up to 5 percent of pregnant women have chronic hypertension (12). By.
