What is the most likely diagnosis for a 30-week pregnant woman with hypertension and proteinuria?

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In this scenario, a 30-week pregnant woman who presents with hypertension and proteinuria is most likely experiencing pre-eclampsia. This condition is characterized by the onset of high blood pressure and protein in the urine after 20 weeks of gestation. The presence of both hypertension and proteinuria is crucial for making the diagnosis of pre-eclampsia, as these are its defining clinical features.

Pre-eclampsia generally comes with additional symptoms such as swelling and headache, but the essential criteria of elevated blood pressure and proteinuria are sufficient for diagnosis, especially in a pregnant woman presenting at this stage. It is a serious condition that can lead to complications for both mother and fetus if not managed appropriately.

Eclampsia represents a progression of pre-eclampsia and is characterized by seizures; however, the woman in this scenario has not presented with seizures. Gestational hypertension refers to high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy without the presence of proteinuria, which does not fit the symptoms observed in this case. HELLP syndrome is a severe manifestation of pre-eclampsia associated with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count, but it requires specific laboratory findings beyond hypertension and proteinuria.

Thus, the combination of hypertension

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