Pregnant women need to be extra mindful of their health and wellness. However, stressing about it does not do much good either as it is often linked to elevated blood pressure, known to cause complications during pregnancy. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the force of blood against the walls of arteries is too high. In pregnant women, this can put the mother and baby at risk. In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Preeti Rastogi, Director and HOD, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medanta, Gurugram, shares some of the common symptoms of high blood pressure in pregnant women, how it leads to complications, such as preeclampsia, and what they can do.
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The Risk Of High Blood Pressure In Pregnant Women
According to a report published by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, pregnancy complications related to high blood pressure, such as gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia, currently affect 8% of individuals giving birth. In women who are pregnant, hypertension can present in different ways, said Dr Rastogi. These include:
Gestational hypertension: This type of hypertension refers to high blood pressure that appears after 20 weeks of pregnancy. No excessive protein is present in the urine and organ damage symptoms are absent. However, gestational hypertension may ultimately result in preeclampsia, the doctor added.
Preeclampsia: Preeclampsia occurs when hypertension manifests after 20 weeks of pregnancy and can damage multiple organ systems including the kidneys, liver, blood, and brain.
Chronic hypertension: It refers to the development of high blood pressure either prior to pregnancy or within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Due to the absence of symptoms, it can be difficult to determine when the condition initially appeared.
Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia: This arises when high blood pressure worsens during pregnancy due to chronic hypertension. Patients may exhibit protein in the urine or other complications.
Who Is At Risk?
There are several risk factors of high blood pressure during pregnancy. These include:
- Being under the age of 20 or over age 40
- Previous experience with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia
- A family history of gestational hypertension
- Have diabetes or gestational diabetes
- Have an immune system disorder, such as lupus
- Have kidney disease
- Expecting multiple babies (twins, triplets or more)
While high blood pressure is a ‘silent killer’ due to its asymptomatic nature, Dr Rastogi shares a few signs which can indicate the same. These include:
- Swelling (oedema)
- Headaches
- Sudden weight gain
- Changes in vision
- Nausea or vomiting
- Peeing only a little bit at a time
- Pain in your abdomen (belly)
Complications To Note
If left untreated, hypertension in pregnant women can take a complicated turn, leading to a host of life threatening conditions including:
Intrauterine growth restriction: High blood pressure might result in slowed or decreased foetal growth.
Premature delivery: This occurs when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy and can lead to health problems, such as developmental delays, breathing problems, and other health issues.
Placental abruption: This occurs when the placenta separates from the uterus before delivery, which can lead to bleeding and potentially life-threatening complications for both the mother and the baby.
In addition, hypertension during pregnancy can also increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and the need for neonatal intensive care, said Dr Rastogi.
How To Measure Blood Pressure?
Hypertension can be measured in three stages:
Elevated blood pressure: A systolic pressure ranging from 120 to 129 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) and a diastolic pressure below 80 mm Hg.
Stage 1 hypertension: A systolic pressure ranging from 130 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure ranging from 80 to 89 mm Hg.
Stage 2 hypertension: A systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher.
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Things To Remember
According to Dr Rastogi, pregnant women with hypertension need to be mindful of the amount of time they are spending outdoors during the summer months. “This is because when the body is exposed to high temperatures, such as during heat waves or hot weather, the blood vessels near the skin's surface dilate, or widen, to help cool the body down. This causes the heart to work harder to circulate blood throughout the body, which can lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure. For most, this temporary increase in blood pressure is not a cause for concern. However, for pregnant women with pre-existing hypertension or other cardiovascular conditions, this added strain on the heart can be extremely dangerous,” she added.
She recommends taking precautions during hot weather, such as staying hydrated, staying in air-conditioned spaces when possible, and avoiding strenuous physical activity during the hottest parts of the day.
“Pregnant women with hypertension should continue to attend regular prenatal check-ups and take medications prescribed by their healthcare provider. With appropriate care and monitoring, hypertension and its associated complications can be identified and managed to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery,” she concluded.
