Hypertension Committee

High blood pressure can’t always be seen—but its impact is real. We’re standing with mothers to monitor, manage, and safeguard their heart health through every stage of pregnancy.

Patients with Lived Experience

Navigating the arrival of my fifth baby was a daunting experience, especially since I had four other children at home. I faced significant challenges due to preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome, which led to the premature birth of my daughter at just 29 weeks. She spent eight weeks in the NICU. Preeclampsia and HELLP were foreign terms to me, and the collaborative approach of the doctors and NICU staff made a significant difference in our experience. I asked many questions, and they took the time to explain everything clearly, which helped me better understand our situation. We truly worked as a team to support both my baby and my own recovery.

This experience fueled my passion to help other families going through similar situations. What may seem routine or common knowledge to medical professionals can be unfamiliar and emotionally overwhelming for families. It is exciting to be a part of the hypertension committee and collaborate and execute initiatives like the Blue Band Project to help further education and positive change.

Michelle W.

about us

What we do as the Hypertension Committee

High blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to serious risks—but with the right tools and timely care, those risks can be reduced. The Hypertension in Pregnancy Committee is focused on improving how hypertension is identified, monitored, and managed throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. By working with healthcare providers, offering clinical education, and promoting best practices, we aim to support safer outcomes for women across Kentucky—because every mother deserves a healthy heart and a strong start.

Understanding Hypertension in Pregnancy

Hypertensive disorders affect 5–15% of pregnancies worldwide, including chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia. ¹
Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia and preeclampsia alone are associated with a 5-fold increase in severe maternal morbidity (SMM) risk. Gestational hypertension nearly doubles the risk. ²

Maternal Hypertension significantly increases the risk of:

Acute kidney injury
Stroke
Heart failure
Preterm birth
Fetal growth restriction

Maternal hypertension doesn’t end with delivery—it can lead to long-term cardiovascular and metabolic conditions for the birthing person, and increased health risks for their children. These risks are not evenly distributed: individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and communities of color face disproportionately higher rates of hypertensive complications, driven by systemic inequities and emerging factors like iron deficiency and occupational exposures.

Blue Band Project

The Blue Band Project is a statewide initiative by the Kentucky Maternal Morbidity & Mortality Task Force to reduce life-threatening hypertension during and after pregnancy. A simple blue wristband helps providers quickly identify at-risk patients and act fast to prevent complications.

Rapid Identification

Patients with severe hypertension wear a blue silicone wristband to alert all care teams, improving response time.

Timely Treatment

Standardized protocols ensure blood pressure emergencies are treated within 60 minutes to reduce stroke and seizure risk.

Hospital Participation

Birthing hospitals across Kentucky are adopting the project, creating a consistent safety net statewide.

Education & Training

Providers receive ongoing training on hypertensive disorders and emergency response best practices.

Data & Surveillance

A statewide system tracks maternal health outcomes to guide improvements and transparency.

Access the official Blue Band Project workbook for step-by-step guidance on implementing the initiative in your facility. This resource includes protocols, training tips, and tools to support safer care for patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

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Resources for Providers

Explore trusted tools, clinical guidelines, and training materials to support timely recognition and treatment of hypertension in pregnancy and postpartum. These resources are curated to help improve outcomes and standardize care across settings.

ACOG Severe Hypertension Algorithm

A concise, step-by-step guide from ACOG to help providers quickly recognize and manage severe hypertension in pregnant and postpartum patients—supporting faster treatment and better outcomes.

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Kentucky Blue Band Training Webinar

Learn more about the Blue Band Project, how to implement, and hear from a patient with lived experience of a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy.

View Training Webinar Here

order Blue Bands

Need blue wristbands for your facility? Use this link to order bands for the Blue Band Project and help ensure at-risk patients are easily identified for timely care.

Order Here