Causes of high blood pressure when pregnant

Overview

The term hypertension expresses the increase in the strength of blood pressure flowing to the walls of the arteries, where blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood pushing on the surfaces of blood vessels, ^[1] It is worth noting that a group of changes are observed On blood pressure during pregnancy, in the normal situation blood pressure drops during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, that is, during the first six months, and this is due to the hormonal fluctuations and changes in blood circulation that occur during this period, and the normal values ​​of blood pressure vary from one woman to another, but it ranges The average blood pressure if the pregnant woman is in good health is between 110/70 and 120/80 mmHg, and it is worth noting that these values ​​differ during pregnancy. ^{[2] [3]}In the context of this speech, it is indicated that there are some cases in which a woman's pressure is high before pregnancy, and in other cases blood pressure may rise during pregnancy, and in general, the diagnosis of high blood pressure during pregnancy requires obtaining two readings of more than 140/90 mmHg after The twentieth week of pregnancy, and the difference between the two readings should be at least four hours. ^{[4] [5]}

To learn more about pregnancy pressure, read the following article: ( What is pregnancy pressure ) .

Causes of high blood pressure when pregnant

A pregnant woman may suffer from high blood pressure during any stage of pregnancy , and in any pregnancy, and in most cases the main cause of high blood pressure is unknown, but there are a number of factors that may increase the risk of developing it, [6] and these factors include What follows: [7] [8]

• High blood pressure before pregnancy.
• Pregnancy by IVF (*) also known as IVF.
• Having high blood pressure in a previous pregnancy.
• Age; The risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy is higher for women under the age of 20 and those over the age of 40.
• Ethnicity; Whereas, women of African American descent are most likely to suffer from high blood pressure.
• Having preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy, or having a family history of preeclampsia.
• Suffering from obesity.
• Twin pregnancy.
• Having an autoimmune disease (*). ^[9]
• Infection with some diseases, such as: lupus (Lupus) (*), diabetes , kidney diseases . ^[9]
• Gestational diabetes (*) in a previous pregnancy. ^[9]

Types of high blood pressure when pregnant

There are many types of high blood pressure during pregnancy, some of which precede pregnancy and some that develop during this period, and before talking about these types, it is necessary to explain what is known as white coat hypertension, which is represented by high blood pressure due to fear of The white coat worn by the doctor, as it is noticed that blood pressure readings during medical visits are higher than those measured at home, and it is often difficult to determine whether this rise is due to a medical condition or as a result of white dress syndrome, so it is recommended for women who suffer One of this syndrome is to measure blood pressure at home and record readings so that the doctor can know blood pressure measurements outside clinics and medical centers, and it is also recommended to practice relaxation exercises while waiting for the doctor’s appointment, especially if the blood pressure will be measured during this visit. ^{[10] [11] [5]}

Chronic high blood pressure

The term Chronic Hypertension is applied to cases in which blood pressure rises before conception or before reaching the twentieth week of pregnancy, and women with this type of hypertension are prone to developing a condition called preeclampsia . -eclampsia), which will be explained below, and therefore women with high blood pressure must inform the doctor when planning pregnancy or when it occurs, and often chronic high blood pressure does not accompany the appearance of any symptoms, so it is difficult to determine the onset of infection. ^{[12] [4]}

With regard to chronic hypertension, the readings can be divided into four general categories: ^[13]

• Normal blood pressure: Blood pressure is considered normal if blood pressure readings are less than 120/80 mm Hg.
• High blood pressure: blood pressure is considered high if the systolic blood pressure ranges between 120 to 129 mmHg, or the diastolic blood pressure is less than 80 mmHg.
• The first stage of hypertension: the systolic blood pressure values ​​at this stage range from 130-139 mmHg, or the diastolic blood pressure values ​​are between 80-89 mmHg.
• The second stage of hypertension: the systolic blood pressure values ​​at this stage exceed 140 mm Hg, or the diastolic blood pressure values ​​are higher than 90 mm Hg.

Gestational hypertension

Gestational hypertension refers to the increase in blood pressure readings during pregnancy, and is diagnosed after the twentieth week of it or at the approaching date of birth, and its symptoms usually disappear after childbirth , as it has been found that most cases of gestational hypertension are cured within the first two Ten weeks after childbirth, and it is worth noting that high pregnancy pressure is not accompanied by protein in the urine, or kidney or heart problems , but women with this type of pressure are more likely to have chronic high blood pressure in the future, and in some cases this develops Gender to pre-eclampsia. ^{[12] [4] [14]}The symptoms associated with this type of pressure may differ from one pregnancy to another, and some women may not show any symptoms, as high blood pressure readings may be the only sign of pregnancy hypertension, and it is worth noting that this condition may not affect the mother or the fetus if it occurs. Take control of it and follow it. ^[15]

Gestational hypertension is divided into three categories: ^[3]

• Simple hypertension: High blood pressure is classified in this category if the systolic blood pressure ranges between 140 to 149 mm Hg, and the lower number ranges between 90 to 99 mm Hg.
• Moderate hypertension: in which the systolic pressure values ​​range from 150 to 159 mm Hg, and the diastolic blood pressure values ​​range from 100 to 110 mm Hg.
• Severe hypertension: blood pressure is classified into this category when systolic pressure values ​​exceed 160 mm Hg and diastolic pressure values ​​exceed 110 mm Hg.

Preeclampsia

This is called also the case of pre - eclampsia name, and spoke later twentieth week of pregnancy for women who do not suffer from pre - high blood pressure, and is a sudden rise of blood pressure in addition to the emergence of symptoms and signs of damage severe in a body, the liver and kidneys, ^{[ 16]} It does not pose a threat to the fetus or the mother if it is controlled, and pre-eclampsia symptoms may not appear in all cases, so it is necessary to see a doctor regularly during pregnancy for the necessary examinations that reveal this condition even if it is not accompanied With any symptoms, it should be noted that in some rare cases the symptoms of the pre-eclampsia stage may appear after childbirth even if they did not appear during pregnancy, and this stage is called preeclampsia after childbirth or preeclampsia.Postpartum , and this condition is usually diagnosed within 48 hours of birth, but it can also occur within the first 6 weeks of birth, and among the symptoms that may accompany preeclampsia - knowing that it may accompany Health conditions other than this problem - the following: ^{[5] [12]}

• Persistent headache .
• Vomiting and nausea .
• Changes in vision, including; Blurry vision , and changes in vision.
• Sudden increase in weight over the normal limit for a pregnant woman.
• Swelling of the face and hands.
• Problems with breathing.
• Feeling of pain in the upper part of the stomach .

Relay pre poisoning may develop pregnancy to a state called eclampsia , which is a heart epilepsy major or coma unjustified, this case occurs after the week twentieth of pregnancy or at some point After birth, it is worth noting that some cases of preeclampsia have been reported without suffering from high blood pressure or high protein in the urine . ^[17]

Dealing with high blood pressure when pregnant

There is a set of tips that can be followed to maintain the health and safety of the pregnant woman in the event of suffering from high blood pressure, and these tips: ^{[1] [18]}

• Follow a healthy diet, including making sure to reduce the amount of salt added to foods.
• Maintaining physical activity, by practicing walking or swimming, after consulting a specialist; In some cases, the doctor may recommend complete rest.
• Quit smoking and abstain from drinking alcohol.
• Take care not to gain more weight than normal during pregnancy.
• Take the prescribed medications as scheduled and in the doses recommended by the doctor.
• Maintain regular visits to the doctor, in addition to making sure to measure blood pressure at home.
• Avoid being stressed or stressed.

Margins:

(*) Lupus: It is a disease caused by the immune system attacking the connective tissues in the body, such as: joints, skin, brain, kidneys and other parts. ^[19]

(*) Gestational diabetes: It is sufficiently high blood sugar during pregnancy to diagnose diabetes. ^[20]

(*) Artificial insemination: It is one of the techniques available to help people suffering from fertility problems in reproduction, through which the egg is fertilized with the sperm in the laboratory and then the fertilized egg is returned to the mother's womb. ^[21]

References

1. ^ ^{A b} "High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy" , Www.healthlinkbc.ca , 21-2-2019, Retrieved 15-10-2019. Edited.
2. ↑ Jon Johnson, “Causes and remedies for low blood pressure during pregnancy” , www.medicalnewstoday.com , Retrieved 3-12-2019. Edited.
3. ^ ^{A b} "Blood Pressure In pregnancy 'search " , Www.babycentre.co.uk , Retrieved 24-11-2019. Edited.
4. ^ ^{A b v} "High Pressure And by blood pregnancy 'search : Know View The Facts" , Www.mayoclinic.org , Retrieved 25-11-2019. Edited.
5. ^ ^{A b v} "High Pressure by blood In the pre-pregnancy 'search And Eclampsia" , Www2.hse.ie , 17-9-2018, Retrieved 15-10-2019. Edited.
6. ↑ Donna Murray, "An Overview of High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy" , www.verywellfamily.com , Retrieved 24-11-2019.
7. ↑ "Gestational Hypertension" , www.chop.edu , Retrieved 25-11-2019. Edited.
8. ↑ "High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy" , medlineplus.gov , 6-9-2019, Retrieved 15-10-2019. Edited.
9. ^ ^{A b t} of Jamie Eske, "What ' To Know About High Pressure by blood During pregnancy ' search " , www.medicalnewstoday.com The , Retrieved 25-11-2019.
10. ↑ "High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy (Gestational Hypertension)" , www.whattoexpect.com , Retrieved 5-12-2019. Edited.
11. ↑ "White coat hypertension (and white coat effect)" , www.bloodpressureuk.org , Retrieved 5-12-2019. Edited.
12. ^ ^{A b t} "High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy" , Www.cdc.gov , Retrieved 25-11-2019. Edited.
13. ↑ "Understanding Blood Pressure Readings" , www.heart.org , Retrieved 3-12-2019. Edited.
14. ↑ "High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy" , medlineplus.gov , Retrieved 25-4-2019 . Edited.
15. ↑ "Gestational Hypertension" , www.stanfordchildrens.org , Retrieved 4-25-2019. Edited.
16. ↑ "Preeclampsia" , www.mayoclinic.org , Retrieved 4-12-2019. Edited.
17. ↑ "Eclampsia" , emedicine.medscape.com , Retrieved 4-12-2019. Edited.
18. ↑ "High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy" , americanpregnancy.org , Retrieved 25-4-2019. Edited.
19. ↑ "Systemic lupus erythematosus" , medlineplus.gov , Retrieved 5-12-2019. Edited.
20. ↑ "Gestational Diabetes" , www.webmd.com , Retrieved 5-12-2019. Edited.
21. ↑ "IVF" , www.nhs.uk , Retrieved 5-12-2019. Edited.