An increase in blood pressure due to pregnancy. If markedly elevated, it is a sign of pending toxemia.
A complication of pregnancy marked by increasing blood pressure, proteinuria, and edema. Diagnostic criteria include an increase of 30 mm Hg systolic or 15 mm Hg diastolic over the baseline pressure for the individual woman (or readings of 140/90) on two assessments with at least a 6-hr interval between measures; edema; and proteinuria of at least 300 mg/24 hr. This condition occurs most commonly in the late second trimester or last trimester; however, it may manifest earlier in women with molar pregnancies. It is potentially life threatening and may worsen rapidly and, if untreated, develop into eclampsia.