PREGNANCY AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension (a shortening of the term arterial hypertension), is where the pressure of blood running through the arteries is elevated. The general consensus is that blood pressure of 140/90 is thought of as being raised. Readings of160/100 or over are described as moderate to severe high blood pressure. An example of normal blood pressure would be 120/80 or below. Recently some experts have advised having another category of blood pressure awareness, that of prehypertension (the readings between 120/80 and 140/90). People with this level of blood pressure would be said to be at risk of developing hypertension where previously such levels were regarded as just normal.WHAT THE NUMBERS MEAN
When ascribing values to blood pressure, two numbers are used. The first number relates to systolic pressure, or the pressure measured when the heart is pumping blood. The second number is diastolic pressure, when the heart is at rest between heartbeats. Each value is important, and both may vary in relation to one another. The numbers refer directly to the level, in millimetres, of the mercury in part of the test equipment. Readings are taken for the two blood flow states.PREGNANCY
While it is not uncommon for women with hypertension to experience no pregnancy complications and give birth to healthy babies, between 6 and 10 percent of women experience high blood pressure problems while pregnant. A high proportion of these are first time pregnancies. Women at risk of developing high blood pressure while pregnant (also known as gestational hypertension) include:
• Young and older first time mothers. Those under 17 and over 35
• Women who are overweight, smoke or have other health issues such as poor diet or diabetes.
• Women carrying twins, triplets etc.
• Those who have high blood pressure running in the family
Women who have high blood pressure anyway, are said to have “essential hypertension”. In such circumstances, consultation with a doctor is important when you become pregnant, as a doctor may decide to change any medication you usually take. Drugs known as ACE inhibitors, used in the treatment of hypertension, are potentially harmful to a developing child. It is best to inform the doctor in advance if you are planning a baby.PRE ECLAMPSIA
Approximately one in five pregnant women with high blood pressure will develop this more serious condition. It is connected to kidney problems, so as well as testing blood pressure during pregnancy, doctors take urine samples. If protein is found in the urine then pre eclampsia is suspected and may require hospitalisation. Unlike most cases of gestational and essential hypertension, pre eclampsia may have outward symptoms such as:
• Vision problems. Flashing before the eyes, sensitivity to light.
• Headache.
• Abdominal pain.
• Vomiting
The condition usually occurs around the 20th week of pregnancy. Those at risk of developing pre eclampsia are largely the same as those at risk of developing gestational hypertension. Pre eclampsia can affect the mother’s liver, kidneys and brain. It can lead to low birth weight babies, premature births and still births. It could also develop into eclampsia which is characterised by seizures. Although there is some treatment for pre eclampsia, including magnesium sulphate injections, the only real cure for it is to deliver the baby. This is why careful monitoring of the condition is important.In spite of the potential for complications, most women with hypertension and even those who develop pre eclampsia have a positive outcome to their pregnancies.
