- Symptoms that may indicate
- What to do to treat
- Risks of high blood pressure in pregnancy
- Diet to control pressure
High blood pressure in pregnancy arises when blood pressure is above 140/90 mmHg, especially in women who have never had an increase in blood pressure, which can cause neck pain, pain in the belly, blurred vision or swelling of the body.
The causes of high blood pressure during pregnancy can be related to an unbalanced diet or malformation of the placenta. In addition, women are at higher risk of having high blood pressure during pregnancy when they are pregnant for the first time, are over 35, obese or diabetic.
Normally, blood pressure is lower in the first half of pregnancy, returning to normal or may even rise slightly in the second half of pregnancy and closer to delivery. Therefore, if the pregnant woman has high blood pressure, especially after 20 weeks of gestation, she should immediately consult the obstetrician.
High blood pressure in pregnancy can be dangerous as it can lead to the development of pre-eclampsia, a serious complication that can cause abortion if it is not treated properly with a balanced diet or medication. Understand what preeclampsia is and how to identify it.
Symptoms that may indicate
Although it does not always cause any symptoms, the signs that indicate high blood pressure in pregnancy include:
- Blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg; Constant headaches, especially in the neck; Strong pains in the belly; Blurred vision and sensitivity to light; Swelling of parts of the body, such as legs or arms.
In the presence of symptoms of high blood pressure in pregnancy it is recommended to consult the obstetrician as soon as possible to initiate the appropriate treatment and avoid serious complications.
What to do to treat
To treat high blood pressure in pregnancy one must rest a lot during the day, drink 2 to 3 liters of water a day and eat a balanced diet with little salt or processed foods, such as sausages, party snacks or potato chips.
In addition, other tips that help lower high blood pressure in pregnancy include drinking 1 orange juice a day, practicing light physical exercise, such as walking, yoga or water aerobics, 2 to 3 times a week, and avoiding drinking more than one coffee per day.
However, in cases where the pressure does not decrease with these precautions, the obstetrician may recommend treatment with high blood pressure medications. In the most severe cases, the pregnant woman may have to stop working or stay in the hospital, avoiding the development of eclampsia. Find out which are the medicines to control high blood pressure and which are indicated for the pregnant woman.
Risks of high blood pressure in pregnancy
High blood pressure during pregnancy increases the risk of pre-eclampsia, a disease that usually appears after the 20th week of pregnancy and which, when left untreated, can progress to eclampsia, causing seizures, coma and even death of the mother and baby.
In cases where blood pressure cannot be lowered, even with the medications prescribed by the obstetrician, childbirth must be induced to avoid the risk of death.
Diet to control pressure
The diet for high blood pressure in pregnancy should be low in salt, rich in folic acid, as it has a vasodilating action, helping to lower blood pressure, and rich in water, to avoid the accumulation of fluids and relieve pressure within the vessels. See a homemade strategy at: Home remedy for high blood pressure in pregnancy.
One of the causes of high blood pressure in pregnancy can be overweight. See if you are getting fat right in pregnancy:
Attention: This calculator is not suitable for multiple pregnancies.
