BU professor to examine the role of postpartum hypertension on recurrent HDP risk

Boston University School of Public Health’s Samantha Parker Kelleher has secured a five-year, $3.2 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to investigate the link between postpartum hypertension and recurrent hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). The study will analyze health data from approximately 3,500 Boston Medical Center (BMC) patients between 2016 and 2025, focusing on those with at least two children and a history of HDP, including preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. Researchers will also incorporate data from BMC’s home blood pressure monitoring program, launched in 2020, which uses cloud-connected cuffs to track patients’ blood pressure remotely. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy affect up to 10% of pregnancies in the U.S. and are strongly linked to long-term cardiovascular risks, such as heart disease and stroke, with recurrence rates as high as 70% among mothers with multiple pregnancies. Up to half of women with HDP develop postpartum hypertension within six weeks after birth, presenting an opportunity to identify early risk factors and intervene before subsequent pregnancies. Current preventive measures, like low-dose aspirin, require early prescription in a subsequent pregnancy, leaving a gap for earlier intervention. The study, led by Kelleher alongside maternal-fetal medicine specialist Christina Yarrington, seeks to shift prevention efforts to the postpartum period, addressing barriers to early prenatal care that disproportionately affect underserved populations. BMC’s remote monitoring program enables clinicians to detect elevated blood pressure early and reduce complications like seizures or strokes, which can arise from untreated preeclampsia. Dr. Erica Holland, an obstetrician-gynecologist at BMC, noted that post-pandemic challenges in accessing care persist, making remote monitoring critical for timely intervention. As the largest essential hospital in New England, BMC serves diverse and primarily underserved communities, offering a unique dataset to explore how postpartum hypertension influences recurrent HDP. The research could inform new clinical guidelines and public health strategies to lower HDP rates, which range from 15% to 45% in the U.S. By targeting the postpartum window, the team hopes to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce long-term cardiovascular risks for high-risk mothers.