Introduction
Pregnancy is accompanied by numerous changes throughout the body to cope with the increasing needs of the growing baby. This is also accompanied by a rise in metabolic and nutritional demands. This article discusses how and why different body parameters, including blood pressure, change during pregnancy, complications of high blood pressure, and strategies to prevent high blood pressure and associated complications.
Changes in Body During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes several changes to cater to the needs of the developing baby as well as prepare for labor and delivery. The heart beats faster and pumps a greater amount of blood into the vessels. This leads to an increased volume of blood in the body. The blood flow through the kidneys increases, leading to higher levels of sugar, proteins, and waste in the urine. The brain signals the kidneys to retain salt and water, further increasing the volume of blood. During pregnancy, oxygen demands increase more than the normal requirement in non-pregnant females due to increased metabolic rates. The rise in oxygen demand causes the respiratory rate to increase, resulting in hyperventilation.
Nausea and vomiting are often seen in pregnant women. These are protective mechanisms to prevent a pregnant woman from ingesting substances that are harmful to the growing baby. Pregnancy is characterized by a diabetogenic state, which means that the sugar is diverted to the developing baby to support its growth and development. Instead of glucose, the lipids are broken down to provide energy to the mother. As the fetus grows, the calcium requirement increases to support skeletal growth. The calcium is derived from maternal calcium stores.
Hypertension During Pregnancy
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when the blood pressure rises above 140/90 mmHg. Severe hypertension occurs when the blood pressure exceeds 160/110 mmHg whereas non-severe hypertension occurs when the blood pressure is less than 160/110 mmHg.
Causes of Hypertension During Pregnancy
Hypertension is a common complication that occurs during pregnancy. The risk factors for hypertension during pregnancy include obesity, resistance to the hormone insulin, previous history of hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Dietary components such as the amount of salt intake are also associated with the onset of hypertension. Salt attracts water and increases the blood volume with the subsequent rise in blood pressure. A body mass index of more than 30, such as in obese individuals also increases the likelihood of hypertension during pregnancy. Women who carry more than one baby are also at an increased risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Classification of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy
The categories of hypertension during pregnancy are as follows.
- Chronic Hypertension – The rise in blood pressure is observed before 20 weeks of pregnancy or before conceiving the baby.
- Gestational Hypertension – There is no previous history of hypertension and the blood pressure rises after 20 weeks of pregnancy. However, the blood pressure normalizes after the child is born.
- Preeclampsia and Eclampsia – There is no history of hypertension and the blood pressure rises after 20 weeks of pregnancy. This is also accompanied by protein in the urine and impaired function of maternal organs including the placenta and uterus.
- Chronic Hypertension with Preeclampsia and Eclampsia – The rise in blood pressure is observed before 20 weeks of pregnancy or before conceiving the child. This is accompanied by symptoms of preeclampsia and eclampsia.
Complications of Hypertension During Pregnancy
The reason why it is important to manage and treat hypertension timely is due to the associated complications which may be detrimental to the health of the mother and baby. The complications of hypertension during pregnancy include the following.
- Increased rates of mortality and morbidity of mother and baby. Death is due to excess fluid in the lungs and bleeding into the brain.
- The short-term complications of hypertension include excess fluid in the lungs, coagulation disorders, reduced platelet count, abnormalities of blood vessels in the brain, and reduced urine output in the mother.
- The delivery may occur before 34 weeks of pregnancy.
- There is a higher frequency of cesarean delivery and admission of newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
- There is an increased risk of preterm delivery, a lower birth rate, and intrauterine growth restriction.
- Hypertension during pregnancy increases the risk for diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular, and kidney disorders.
Symptoms of Hypertension During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the onset of hypertension presents as increased swelling due to retention of water and salts. The brain-related symptoms of hypertension include headaches and altered mental status. The visual symptoms of hypertension are blurred vision, temporary vision loss, and increased sensitivity to light called photophobia. Increased blood volume also gives rise to excess fluid in the lungs. Hypertension also leads to impairment of the kidney and liver function. Another common finding is vomiting.
The diagnosis of hypertension during pregnancy includes monitoring the blood pressure and observing the clinical symptoms. Measurement of the levels of liver enzymes, urinary protein, and platelets also assists in the diagnosis of hypertension during pregnancy.
Treatment and Prevention of Hypertension During Pregnancy
When experiencing hypertension during pregnancy, one shall the family doctor to discuss medications and hypertension management measures. The characteristic treatment indication for hypertension during pregnancy is a blood pressure value of 140/90 mmHg. To evaluate the efficacy of treatments and track the changes in blood pressure, it is important to monitor the blood pressure regularly. Delivery is the definitive treatment for eclampsia, preeclampsia, and gestational hypertension.
Monitoring blood pressure plays a significant role in early diagnosis and effective treatment and management of raised blood pressure during pregnancy.
At KANOX, we offer a wide range of high-quality medical devices for promoting optimal health. The devices are manufactured according to the International and North American standards, providing the best quality care. The Arm-Type Automatic Digital Blood Pressure Monitor provides accurate monitoring of blood pressure and is easy to use. One can use the monitor to track the changes in blood pressure and retrieve medical help when the blood pressure deviates from the normal range. This aids in early diagnosis, effective management, and treatment of hypertension during pregnancy.
