Why it matters: Hypertensive disorders affect up to 1 in 5 pregnancies, and for many women, high blood pressure doesn’t end after delivery. Without proper follow-up, it quietly increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and long-term complications.
What’s happening: Intermountain Health has developed an innovative care model to proactively support pregnant and postpartum women with hypertension through coordinated, evidence-based steps.
The big picture: “We need to remember there are two patients here, and not forget the mom,” says Dr. Donna Dizon-Townson, a maternal-fetal medicine physician leading this work in Provo.
How it works:
- Blood pressure checks within 72 hours postpartum
- Structured follow-up at key intervals: first week, 4–6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months
- Team-based coordination across OB, cardiology, nephrology, and primary care
What they’re saying: “Pregnancy is a unique opportunity to identify disease markers,” Dr. Dizon-Townson notes. “Pregnant women are so motivated to see their care provider, we have to use that window to set them up for long-term health.”
The bottom line: This model is designed to reduce readmissions, prevent serious complications, and improve long-term health outcomes for Utah mothers, ensuring care doesn’t stop when pregnancy ends.