High Blood Pressure And Preeclampsia
High Blood Pressure and
Pregnancy Risks
 High blood pressure and pregnancy can be a
dangerous combination, even though most women with moderate high blood pressure deliver normal healthy babies.
But certain complications, for both the mother and the child, are more likely during pregnancy for someone who
has high blood pressure or hypertension.
Chronic, pre-existing high blood pressure can cause damage in the kidneys and other vital organs, resulting in a
low birth weight and possibly premature delivery. High blood pressure can reduce the blood flow to the placenta,
compromising the baby's supply of oxygen and nutrients. It can also contribute to placental abruption, in which the
placenta prematurely separates from the uterus. This results in less oxygen for the baby and may cause heavy
bleeding in the mother.
Pregnancy, high blood pressure, preeclampsia High blood pressure can also
cause a serious condition during pregnancy known as preeclampsia, which can be life threatening to both the mother
and the baby. Preeclampsia occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and affects 5-8 percent of all
pregnancies.
Although some women with preeclampsia report no symptoms, it's usually characterized by swelling, sudden weight
gain, headaches and changes in vision. The onset of preeclampsia usually takes place in the late 2nd or 3rd
trimesters.
Preeclampsia and other disorders involving high blood pressure during pregnancy are a leading cause of maternal
and infant illness and death. Recent research indicates that women who develop preeclampsia probably will have an
increased risk of heart disease later in life, even though their blood pressure returns to normal after
delivery.
Treating high blood pressure in pregnancy While preeclampsia is a prominent danger for
pregnant women, there can be other risks associated with high blood pressure during pregnancy. Any woman who is
taking medications for blood pressure problems should have a careful and thorough review of her prescriptions by
her doctor. It's currently believed that pregnant women should avoid angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
and Angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonists.
Generally speaking, a pregnant woman should avoid alcohol and tobacco. Both of these may contribute to blood
pressure disorders.
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