Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a primary contributor to global maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality (1). The 2013 guidelines from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists categorize HDP into four distinct types: gestational hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia, chronic hypertension, and chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia/eclampsia (2). The 2020 guidelines from the International Society of Hypertension retain this classification system while additionally identifying hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, characterized by hemolytic anemia, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count as a unique entity (3). Regardless of the classification, monitoring blood pressure during pregnancy remains essential.

Evidence indicates that HDP are correlated with significant long-term health hazards for both women and their offspring (4). Effective management of HDP can reduce mortality and mitigate the adverse effects of preeclampsia, which is associated with severe maternal complications such as premature labor, prolonged hospitalization, and psychological distress, often leading to disrupted maternal–infant bonding and family separation (5). Furthermore, preeclampsia and gestational hypertension increase the risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies (6), future cardiovascular diseases (7), and type 2 diabetes (8–12). Beyond maternal health, HDP also poses risks to fetal and child health. Studies have shown that children born to mothers with HDP are at a higher risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and long-term developmental issues, including neurodevelopmental delays and an increased susceptibility to chronic conditions such as hypertension and metabolic disorders later in life (13, 14). The impact of HDP extends to the timing and method of delivery, duration of hospital stay, and the mother’s connection with the newborn and family (15), with ramifications that can persist into adulthood for both the mother and the child. These findings underscore the critical importance of addressing HDP not only as a maternal health issue but also as a determinant of fetal and child health outcomes.

Recent studies have reported an increase in the incidence of HDP in recent decades (13, 15), highlighting its emerging importance as a cardiovascular disease affecting women (14). Even though HDP are important for risk assessment and prevention, their epidemiology is largely unknown, especially in developing countries, thereby affecting prevention and healthcare practices. The prevalence of HDP is between 4 and 25%, and it is a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide (14). The rates of preeclampsia and maternal mortality have markedly decreased over the past half-century in developed regions but remain high in developing regions (16). A meta-analysis showed that the global incidence of preeclampsia was 4.6% (95% CI, 2.7–8.2), and the incidence was 1.0 and 5.6% in the Eastern Mediterranean and Africa, respectively (16). This discrepancy makes it difficult to assess the global burden of HDP and hinders efforts to prevent HDP among pregnant women in different parts of the world (17, 18).

This research aims to provide a comprehensive and updated analysis of the epidemiology of HDP by utilizing the latest Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) 2021 data, spanning from 1990 to 2021. Unlike previous studies that were limited to data up to 2019 and focused on specific countries or regions, this study offers a broader global perspective, assessing HDP incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) across different age groups and sociodemographic indices (SDI). The purpose of this analysis is to identify temporal trends, regional disparities, and high-risk populations, thereby addressing critical gaps in understanding the global burden of HDP. Such insights are essential for informing public health policies, guiding resource allocation, and designing targeted interventions to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality associated with HDP.

This study presents a comprehensive overview of the global epidemiology of HDP, utilizing DALYs and incidence rates. Both incidence and DALYs have shown a decline over time, attributable to heightened awareness and advancements in medical technology, as previously documented (24, 25). While there was a significant increase in HDP cases during the early 20th century, the rate has since leveled off. However, there has been a continuous increase in the number of cases over the past three decades (26). These insights suggest that the focus should shift toward preventing HDP rather than merely addressing maternal and infant mortality (27). The age-standardized incidence and DALYs have diminished due to enhanced medical care and the global aging population.

The burden of HDP varies widely across regions, with the most significant age-standardized DALYs and ASIR noted in Africa. In sub-Saharan Africa, maternal deaths from HDP constitute approximately 22.1% of all maternal deaths, highlighting the prominence of these conditions in this region (28). This high proportion is largely due to limited access to quality antenatal care and emergency obstetric services, which delays the diagnosis and management of HDP (PMID: 30848083). Additionally, low health literacy and socioeconomic barriers often prevent timely medical intervention (PMID: 32813709). In Central and East Africa, HDP rank as the second most common cause of maternal death, following obstetric hemorrhage (29). The elevated burden correlates with limited healthcare access and reduced rates of early prenatal diagnosis, which presents a significant hurdle to improving maternal and infant outcomes (30). Investments in healthcare have been demonstrated to decrease mortality from HDP (31). In the Caribbean, there has been a steady increase over time in DALY ASR related to HDP, reflecting disparities in primary care and potential environmental exposures, such as chlordecone (32). The persistent increase in DALY rates in the Caribbean reflects regional inequalities in maternal healthcare. In some areas, environmental exposures (e.g., chlordecone contamination), inadequate prenatal care infrastructure, and socioeconomic hardship may contribute to a sustained HDP burden (PMID: 24727072; PMID: 35509645). In contrast, the global trend of declining incidence has not been mirrored in Eastern and Western Europe, where the ASR for HDP has increased. According to the ROPAC survey by the European Society of Cardiology, although adverse outcomes from hemorrhage and infection are less prevalent in Western developed countries, cardiovascular diseases, including HDP, remain a substantial issue (33). According to the ROPAC survey by the European Society of Cardiology, the increasing ASIR in Eastern Europe may be attributed to demographic transitions such as increased maternal age, higher BMI, and multiple pregnancies (PMID: 40311220; PMID: 27384461). In addition, healthcare reforms and limited access to continuous maternal care in countries like Romania have disrupted service quality, potentially leading to higher HDP incidence (PMID: 30907409). These trends may also reflect socioeconomic disparities and gaps in early screening and prevention strategies. Higher maternal BMI, older maternal age, and multiple pregnancies partly account for the increase compared to developing countries (34). Additionally, social determinants like migration patterns and educational attainment levels, as well as genetic susceptibility among different ethnic populations, may also influence regional differences in HDP burden (35).

In regions with lower SDI, several underlying factors contribute to the higher incidence and burden of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). These areas commonly experience insufficient medical resources, including limited access to prenatal care and a lack of specialized maternal health services (PMID: 39395960). Additionally, low levels of health literacy and education impede early recognition and management of HDP. Such challenges hinder timely diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment, ultimately increasing adverse maternal outcomes (PMID: 39354425). Conversely, high-SDI regions typically benefit from well-established healthcare infrastructures, comprehensive antenatal care programs, and widespread health education, which collectively reduce the risk and impact of HDP (PMID: 39789321). Thus, the positive correlation between SDI and HDP burden reflects the crucial role of socioeconomic development in shaping maternal health outcomes.

To effectively reduce the burden of HDP in low-SDI regions, targeted interventions are essential. These interventions should include expanding access to quality antenatal care, investing in rural and underserved healthcare infrastructure, training local healthcare providers, and integrating HDP screening into routine maternal health services. Community-based health education programs tailored to cultural and literacy contexts can improve awareness of early HDP symptoms and promote timely medical seeking behavior. Additionally, mobile health platforms may offer scalable solutions to reach remote populations with health education and care reminders, especially in regions with limited facility-based care.

The increase in ASIR in Romania is related to the transition and reform of the healthcare system, which disrupted the continuity and quality of maternal health services (36). The socioeconomic status and the increasing prevalence of obesity and metabolic disorders have also contributed to the increased incidence of HDP (37). The healthcare system has not been able to adapt to these changes, which have affected the management and prevention of hypertensive disorders (38). Recent advances in identifying shared cfDNA methylation profiles among HDP subtypes (39) could offer novel biomarkers for early risk stratification, potentially improving resource allocation in strained healthcare systems. In Georgia, the increase in ASIR is associated with challenges in the healthcare infrastructure, socioeconomic factors, cultural attitudes toward prenatal care, higher smoking rates among pregnant women, and poor nutrition (40). The increase in DALY rates in Guam is due to the high prevalence of obesity and diabetes, limited access to specialized maternal care, cultural dietary practices, and genetic predispositions (41). American Samoa is challenged by a high prevalence of obesity, a lack of adequate healthcare resources, and genetic factors that contribute to the burden of HDP (42). The identification of common epigenetic signatures across the HDP spectrum (39) highlights opportunities for precision public health approaches, particularly in populations with strong genetic predispositions.

Our research further reveals that the burden of HDP is predominantly concentrated among women aged 25 to 39 years. Women in this age group bear the main burden of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, which may be attributed to several common risk factors. First-time pregnancies (primiparity) are associated with an increased risk of HDP due to the maternal immune system’s adaptation to the fetus (PMID: 29669140). Additionally, women in this age range may experience multiple pregnancies and higher parity, which also elevate the risk of HDP (PMID:34583671). Meanwhile, occupational stress and lifestyle factors prevalent among the working-age population further contribute to the development of HDP (PMID: 34897523). Earlier studies identified HDP as the leading cause of maternal mortality in adolescents, yet it was often overlooked in favor of maternal anemia and preterm delivery (42). The incidence of HDP is notably higher in developing nations and rural regions (32). Adolescent mothers are more prone to engage in detrimental behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, or drug abuse and may have a history of miscarriage, factors that exacerbate the risk of HDP. Typically, these mothers are unmarried, exhibit limited understanding of maternal health, and are less likely to receive consistent prenatal care. These circumstances impede the early diagnosis and treatment of HDP (32). Furthermore, uterine immaturity may also contribute to the incidence of HDP (39). As societal acceptance of sexuality increases, it becomes imperative to bolster educational, medical, and policy efforts aimed at preventing and treating HDP during adolescent pregnancy (43). Beyond behavioral risk factors, pregnant adolescent women also face unique physiological and social vulnerabilities. Immature reproductive systems—such as underdeveloped uterine vasculature—may impair placental development, increasing the risk of HDP (PMID: 35844352). Additionally, adolescents often lack emotional and financial support, which exacerbates stress and limits their ability to access consistent prenatal care (PMID: 17880312). Social stigma, fear of disclosure, and lower educational attainment further compound the barriers to early HDP detection and treatment. These multidimensional risks underscore the importance of adolescent-specific maternal health strategies, including school-based education, confidential antenatal services, and supportive social environments.

In conclusion, our study reveals that HDP remains a significant global public health concern. The epidemiology of HDP exhibits substantial variations across different regions and age groups. Even with the anticipated increase in HDP cases in the coming years, several research challenges persist. Notably, there is an absence of a standard definition or classification for HDP. Additionally, the consistency and quality of data sources and collection methodologies differ considerably, potentially introducing biases in data analysis and comparison. Furthermore, estimates of disease prevalence and incidence should consider the diagnostic capabilities and data collection practices specific to each region.

Our findings indicate a significant increase in maternal HDP, which is expected to substantially impact the global disease burden. Notably, the ASIR and age-standardized DALY rates remain alarmingly high in Africa and the Caribbean. In the Caribbean, there was a slight uptick in the age-standardized DALY rate, whereas in Eastern and Western Europe, as well as Central Asia, a minor increase in the ASIR was observed. Specific regions such as the Russian Federation, Romania, and Georgia exhibited an upward trajectory in their ASIR. Meanwhile, territories like Guam and American Samoa recorded elevated DALY rates. The most pronounced burden of HDP was noted among women aged 25 to 39 years. Furthermore, adolescent mothers were identified as a vulnerable group, with their susceptibility attributed to unhealthy behaviors and inadequate prenatal care.