Increased Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the most serious diseases associated with the cardiovascular system. This problem is relevant for most countries of the world, including Russia. Arterial hypertension is one of the main risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, arrhythmias, etc. Therefore, it is very important to identify and treat it as early as possible.

It is especially important to monitor your blood pressure during pregnancy, when high blood pressure often occurs. The reasons for this phenomenon are not fully understood, but, as a rule, it is associated with an increase in the weight of the pregnant woman, pressure of the fetus on the blood vessels, hormonal changes and an increase in the load on the cardiovascular system.

You should especially carefully monitor your blood pressure if a woman is over 40 years old, is expecting twins, has diabetes, or has kidney problems. You should also be on guard if your relatives have had cases of high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Risk factors for the development of arterial hypertension include smoking, high blood cholesterol, excess body weight, a sedentary lifestyle, and chronic stress.

If a woman already had high blood pressure before pregnancy, it is recommended to consult a cardiologist or therapist before planning pregnancy. It is necessary to assess the stage of the disease, risk factors, and prescribe the required amount of research. This usually includes various blood and urine tests, an electrocardiogram, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, and an ultrasound of the heart. After this, the doctor and patient decide on the choice of drug and the frequency of further visits to the doctor. In recent years, women with stage 1-2 hypertension have successfully carried and given birth to healthy children. Of course, subject to the daily and correct use of medications and the supervision of specialists.

If an increase in blood pressure was first discovered during pregnancy, then there is no need to panic. First of all, you should pay attention to your lifestyle. If a woman loves fatty, salty and sweet foods, then she will have to forget about it. It is recommended to stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption. It is also important to monitor your weight and exercise, selecting them in accordance with your doctor’s recommendations.

If your blood pressure increases during pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe drug therapy. However, not all drugs are safe for pregnant women, so the choice of drug should be made with extreme caution. Your doctor may prescribe magnesium, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow to the fetus, or alpha-methyldopa, which lowers blood pressure and has no negative effects on the fetus.

In cases of severe hypertension, which can lead to complications for the mother and fetus, hospitalization for observation and treatment may be necessary.

Overall, it is important to understand that high blood pressure during pregnancy is a serious problem that requires careful monitoring and treatment. Women with risk factors should consult a doctor before pregnancy and monitor their health throughout the gestation period.