What is the drug of choice for a pregnant patient diagnosed with hypertension?

The drug of choice for a pregnant patient diagnosed with hypertension is methyldopa. Methyldopa has a long history of use in managing hypertension during pregnancy and is preferred due to its favorable safety profile. It is a centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, which helps lower blood pressure by decreasing sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system. This effect results in reduced peripheral vascular resistance without significant fetal or maternal adverse effects, making it suitable for use in this population.

Other choices, such as ACE inhibitors, are contraindicated during pregnancy because they can cause severe fetal complications, especially during the second and third trimesters. Beta blockers can be used in pregnancy, but they are not preferred as first-line treatment due to concerns about potential effects on fetal growth and heart rate. Loop diuretics are generally not recommended for the management of hypertension in pregnancy, as they can lead to volume depletion and electrolyte imbalances that may negatively affect both the mother and the fetus. Thus, methyldopa stands out as the safest and most effective option for treating hypertension in pregnant patients.