Blood pressure that exceeds 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or greater and documented on two occasions, at least four hours apart is considered abnormal. This is one of the common signs of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women. Blood pressure is the pressure of blood on the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps the blood around the body. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication denoting high blood pressure and leads to damage to another organ system, such as the liver and kidneys

In addition to swelling, protein in the urine, and high blood pressure, preeclampsia symptoms can also include rapid weight gain due to a significant increase in bodily fluid, abdominal pain, headaches, and change in reflexes. In general, preeclampsia occurs after 20 to 24 weeks of pregnancy or usually towards the end of pregnancy. It is observed that preeclampsia affects about 8% of all pregnancies.