Both types of hypertension increase risk of preeclampsia and eclampsia and of other causes of maternal mortality or morbidity, including Hypertensive encephalopathy Stroke Renal failure Left ventricular failure HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) Risk of fetal mortality or morbidity increases because of decreased uteroplacental blood flow, which can cause vasospasm, growth restriction, hypoxia, and placental abruption.