High blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy is classified as one of the following:
Chronic hypertension: Blood pressure was high before the pregnancy.
Gestational hypertension: Blood pressure became high for the first time after women had been pregnant for 20 weeks (usually after 37 weeks). This type of hypertension typically resolves within 6 weeks after delivery.
Preeclampsia is another type of high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy. It is accompanied by protein in the urine. Preeclampsia is diagnosed and treated differently from other types of high blood pressure.
Women who have chronic hypertension are more likely to have potentially serious problems during pregnancy. However, the following problems are more likely to occur if either chronic or gestational hypertension is present:
Preeclampsia and/or eclampsia (seizures due to severe preeclampsia)
Worsening of high blood pressure
A fetus that does not grow as much as expected (small for gestational age)
Premature detachment of the placenta from the uterus (placental abruption)
The HELLP syndrome consists of hemolysis (the breakdown of red blood cells), elevated levels of liver enzymes (indicating liver damage), and a low platelet count, making blood less able to clot and increasing the risk of bleeding during and after labor.
During pregnancy, women with high blood pressure are monitored closely to make sure blood pressure is well-controlled, the kidneys are functioning normally, and the fetus is growing normally. However, premature detachment of the placenta cannot be prevented or anticipated. Often, a baby must be delivered early to prevent stillbirth or complications due to severe high blood pressure (such as stroke) in the woman.
Diagnosis of High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
Routine measurement of blood pressure
Blood pressure is measured routinely at prenatal visits.
Usually if severe hypertension occurs for the first time in pregnant women, doctors do tests to rule out other causes of hypertension.
Treatment of High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
For mild to moderate high blood pressure, reduced activity and, if needed, antihypertensive medications
For more severe high blood pressure, antihypertensive medications
Avoidance of certain antihypertensive medications
Medications may or may not be used, depending on how high blood pressure is and how well the kidneys are functioning. Use and choice of medications to treat chronic and gestational hypertension are similar. However, gestational hypertension often occurs late in pregnancy and does not require treatment with medications.
For mild to moderate high blood pressure (140/90 to 159/109 millimeters of mercury [mm Hg]), treatment depends on many factors. Doctors may recommend reducing physical activity to possibly help lower blood pressure. If reduced activity does not lower blood pressure, many experts recommend treatment with antihypertensive medications. Whether the benefits of these medications outweigh the risks is unclear. However, if the kidneys are not functioning normally, medications are needed. If high blood pressure is not controlled well, the kidneys may be damaged further.
For severe high blood pressure (160/110 mm Hg or higher), treatment with antihypertensive medications is recommended (see table Antihypertensive Medications). Treatment can reduce the risk of stroke and other complications due to high blood pressure.
For very high blood pressure (180/110 mm Hg or higher), women are evaluated immediately because risk of complications for women and/or the fetus is high. If women wish to continue the pregnancy despite the risk, they often require several antihypertensive medications. They may be hospitalized toward the end of the pregnancy. If their condition worsens, doctors may recommend ending the pregnancy.
Women are taught to check their blood pressure at home. Doctors periodically do tests to determine how well the kidneys and liver are functioning and do ultrasonography to determine how well the fetus is growing.
If pregnant women have moderately high to very high blood pressure, the baby is typically delivered at 37 to 39 weeks. It is delivered earlier if the fetus is growing slowly, the fetus is having problems, or the woman has severe preeclampsia.
Antihypertensive medications
Most antihypertensive medications used to treat high blood pressure can be used safely during pregnancy. They include
However, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are stopped during pregnancy, particularly during the last two trimesters. These medications can cause birth defects of the urinary tract in the fetus. As a result, the baby may die shortly after birth.
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