The basic aim of treating pre-eclampsia includes controlling hypertension and preventing complications. In treating hypertension, however, attempting to bring the blood pressure to pre-pregnant level quickly is not desirable. This is important because it can downright harm the mother and the foetus if energetic measures are taken to lower blood pressure. The ongoing process of pre-eclampsia produces widespread vasospasm in the maternal vasculature. The rise in blood pressure is a reaction to that vasospasm. The absolute cut-off value of blood pressure of 130/90 mmHg to label a woman as pre-eclamptic is just one factor. In subjects with antenatal care of a good quality, a more appropriate cut-off level of a rise of 30 mmHg systolic or 15 mmHg diastolic taken on two consecutive readings at least 6 hours apart after adequate bed rest is more accurate.