A method is provided that allows a subject to be diagnosed as having one of a variety of hypertensive states, including pre-eclampsia, based on the measurement of a plurality of factors including the level of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), an obesity factor and optionally one or more additional factors, which may be physiological parameters or biomarkers. The method can be used to determine hypertensive states associated with pregnancy, or associated with anti-angiogenic drug therapy. The method is thus useful for diagnosing the hypertensive status of pregnant women, as well as patients undergoing anti-angiogenic treatment (e.g., chemotherapy).