Essential Hypertension During Pregnancy: Advice and Assistance

Hypertension inpregnancy is not necessarily a dangerous condition, but it certainly requires special care (Read about: gynecology cervices Brooklyn). Some women have chronic hypertension before even getting pregnant, while others develop essentialhypertensionduring pregnancy.

Hight Risk Pregnancy: MainFactors

Hypertension during pregnancy should be carefully followed and monitored due to its possible risks. Women who have or develop hypertension during pregnancy are at a greater risk for:

• Premature delivery – is often induced in order to prevent further complications to the fetus and the mother
• Placental abruption – is more common among women with high blood pressure during pregnancy. It is well known that placental abruption or the separation of the placenta from the inner uterine wall is more common among women with high blood pressureduring pregnancy. Placental abruption has its own risks and complications, which can lead to even stillbirth or loss of pregnancy.
• Decreased blood flow to the placenta – occurs due to the damage of the blood vessels from hypertension. This all leads to lower levels of oxygen and necessary nutrients that reach the baby, which lead to slow growth, low birth weight and preterm childbirth.
• Future cardiovascular disease – hypertension during pregnancy and especially eclampsia, increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases in the future.

When Is It Considered Hypertension?

Hypertensionis defined when the high blood pressure is higher than 140/90 mmHg. Your health care provider will monitor your blood pressure closely during pregnancy, and if it is higher than 140/90 mmHg it can indicate a problem. However, keep in mind that not in all cases complications are developed. Many women reach to deliver their babies on time, if they do monitor their high pressure, lead a healthy life, avoid risk factors that increase the blood pressure, etc.

After the 20th week of pregnancy, essentialhypertensioncan lead to a serious condition called preeclampsia, which later can develop into eclampsia. Preeclampsia and especially eclampsia are very serious conditions that can be even fatal for the fetus and the mother. Every organ in the human body are affected and especially the brain and the kidneys.

But, not every woman who has high blood pressure develops preeclampsia or eclampsia. Why? There is a simple explanation for that. It is well known that some women are at a greater risk for having high blood pressure or even developing preeclampsia and eclampsia during pregnancy. Women who are over the age of 35, women who are obese and especially the one with BMI over 30 are at a greater risk of developing hypertension during pregnancy. A family history of cardiovascular diseases and a personal history of hypertension or cardiovascular problems are also important. Pregnancies with multiple fetuses are more likely to get complicated with hypertension and preeclampsia than having a single fetus pregnancy.

High Blood PressureTreatment During Pregnancy

First of all the most important thing is to lead e healthy life. Eating various foods and especially fruits and vegetables, daily physical activity and weight loss can minimize the risk of developing preeclampsia.Taking medication during pregnancy is not really recommended as they do harm the developing fetus. However, in some cases they are necessary and should be taken as prescribed by your health care provider. Medications that are generally used to lower the high blood pressure like ACE inhibitors, renin inhibitors or ARBs are generally avoided.