Hypertension, commonly called high blood pressure, is when the force of blood pumping through the arteries is too strong. The arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from the heart throughout the body. Hypertension during pregnancy can cause problems for you and your baby. Your baby may be born early (prematurely) or may not weigh as much as he or she should at birth. Very bad cases of hypertension during pregnancy can be life-threatening.
Different types of hypertension can occur during pregnancy. These include:
• Chronic hypertension. This happens when you have hypertension before pregnancy and it continues during pregnancy.
• Gestational hypertension. This is when hypertension develops during pregnancy.
• Preeclampsia, also called toxemia of …show more content…
• Hypertension with high amounts of protein in the urine is diagnosed as preeclampsia.
• Blood pressure measurements that stay above 160 systolic or 110 diastolic are signs of severe preeclampsia.
TREATMENT
Treatment for hypertension during pregnancy varies depending on the type of hypertension you have and how serious it is.
• If you take medicines called ACE inhibitors to treat chronic hypertension, you may need to switch medicines. ACE inhibitors should not be taken during pregnancy.
• If you have gestational hypertension, you may need to take blood pressure medicine.
• If you are at risk for preeclampsia, your health care provider may recommend that you take a low-dose aspirin every day to prevent high blood pressure during your pregnancy.
• If you have severe preeclampsia, you may need to be hospitalized so that you and your baby can be monitored closely. You may also need to take medicine (magnesium sulfate) to prevent seizures and lower blood pressure. This medicine may be given as an injection or through an IV tube.
• In some cases, if your condition gets worse, you may need to deliver your baby
Different types of hypertension can occur during pregnancy. These include:
• Chronic hypertension. This happens when you have hypertension before pregnancy and it continues during pregnancy.
• Gestational hypertension. This is when hypertension develops during pregnancy.
• Preeclampsia, also called toxemia of …show more content…
• Hypertension with high amounts of protein in the urine is diagnosed as preeclampsia.
• Blood pressure measurements that stay above 160 systolic or 110 diastolic are signs of severe preeclampsia.
TREATMENT
Treatment for hypertension during pregnancy varies depending on the type of hypertension you have and how serious it is.
• If you take medicines called ACE inhibitors to treat chronic hypertension, you may need to switch medicines. ACE inhibitors should not be taken during pregnancy.
• If you have gestational hypertension, you may need to take blood pressure medicine.
• If you are at risk for preeclampsia, your health care provider may recommend that you take a low-dose aspirin every day to prevent high blood pressure during your pregnancy.
• If you have severe preeclampsia, you may need to be hospitalized so that you and your baby can be monitored closely. You may also need to take medicine (magnesium sulfate) to prevent seizures and lower blood pressure. This medicine may be given as an injection or through an IV tube.
• In some cases, if your condition gets worse, you may need to deliver your baby