How To Lower Blood Pressure While Pregnant

What Is High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force of blood that pushes against the walls of your arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from your heart to other parts of the body. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood to the arteries. If the pressure in your arteries becomes too high, you have high blood pressure . High blood pressure can put extra stress on your organs. This can lead to heart attack, heart failure, stroke and kidney failure.

Some women have high blood pressure before they get pregnant. Others have high blood pressure for the first time during pregnancy. About 8 in 100 women have some kind of high blood pressure during pregnancy. If you have high blood pressure, talk to your health care provider. Managing your blood pressure can help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Puedo Tener Un Embarazo Saludable Con La Presin Arterial Alta

Es ideal que veá a su médico antes de quedar embarazada. Esto le da a su proveedor de atención médica la oportunidad de ver si su presión arterial está bajo control y revisar sus medicamentos. Ciertos medicamentos no son seguros durante el embarazo y pueden dañar a su bebé.Durante el embarazo, la hipertensión crónica puede empeorar, especialmente si desarrolla preeclampsia encima de la hipertensión crónica. Si esto sucede, usted puede desarrollar complicaciones como la insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva, cambios en la visión, accidente cerebrovascular, convulsiones y problemas renales o hepáticos.

What Else Can I Do

Taking the following steps may help reduce the risks of serious problems related to preeclampsia. Staying on top of your symptoms can also alert your doctor to any need for an early delivery. If you are at very high risk for preeclampsia, your doctor may put you on a daily low dose of aspirin. Also:

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Go to prenatal visits. The best way to keep you and your baby healthy throughout your pregnancy is to go to all your scheduled prenatal visits so your doctor can check your blood pressure and any other signs and symptoms of preeclampsia.

Throughout your pregnancy, your doctor will check:

• Your blood pressure
• Levels of protein in your urine
• How your baby is growing and gaining weight

Track your weight and blood pressure. If you had high blood pressure before you were pregnant, be sure to tell your doctor at your first appointment. Your doctor may want you to track your weight and blood pressure in between visits.

Ease blood pressure. To help ease your blood pressure, you doctor may recommend taking extra calcium or aspirin, or lying on your left side when you rest. They may also recommend you to check your diet to be sure youre getting plenty of fruits and veggies and that it is low in salt.

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Questions For Your Doctor

• Im pregnant and have high blood pressure. How great is my risk of developing gestational hypertension or preeclampsia?
• Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk?
• Will medicines help me?
• How often will I need to see you for appointments?
• What are my treatment options?
• Will I need bed rest?
• Will I need a C-section? Or can I have a vaginal birth?

What Can You Do About High Blood Pressure Before Pregnancy

Heres what you can do:

• Get a preconception checkup. This is a medical checkup you get before pregnancy to take care of health conditions that may affect your pregnancy.
• Use birth control until your blood pressure is under control. Birth control is methods you can use to keep from getting pregnant. Condoms and birth control pills are examples of birth control.
• Get to a healthy weight. Talk to your provider about the weight thats right for you.
• Eat healthy foods.
• Do something active every day.
• Dont smoke. Smoking is dangerous for people with high blood pressure because it damages blood vessel walls.

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Treatments For High Blood Pressure

Your doctor or midwife will check your blood pressure regularly. If you have high blood pressure, it is important to:

• exercise regularly
• make sure you are a healthy weight

If high blood pressure is caused by a medical condition such as kidney disease, its important to talk to your doctor about what medications are safe to take during pregnancy.

Pre-eclampsia can be managed with medication and close monitoring of both you and the baby. However, it can become worse very quickly. If this happens, you may need to go to hospital or have the baby delivered early.

Treating Low Blood Pressure

The main goal in treating low blood pressure during pregnancy is symptom reduction, especially if you are experiencing dizziness and fainting.;For the most part, many people can manage symptoms of low blood pressure with lifestyle modifications, such as:;

• Staying hydrated;
• Consuming enough calories to support you and your baby
• Avoiding standing for long periods of time
• Moving slowly from a supine or prone position to a standing position

Blood pressure tends to be lower when a person is at rest and can cause blood to pool in the legs, so it’s important to move positions or get up from a seated or reclining position slowly to avoid the onset of symptoms, such as dizziness or fainting.

If a patient is on a medication that may cause low blood pressure, we would recommend discontinuing the medication, explains Atlas. Like high blood pressure, treating low blood pressure with medication during pregnancy is only recommended when absolutely necessaryand only with medications known to be safe during pregnancy.

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What Risks Are There To A Pregnancy With Chronic Hypertension

Unmanaged chronic high blood pressure can put your pregnancy at higher risk of certain complications. Some may include a small-for-gestational-age baby , premature birth, breathing problems before or during labor, placental abruption;and preeclampsia.

If your condition is well-managed, these risks can be minimized or even eliminated.

Staying Active While Pregnant

Being inactive during pregnancy can be a source of high blood pressure. To combat this, try staying active while pregnant by exercising for 20-30 minutes each day. This doesnt have to be a full workout! Taking a brisk walk or practicing yoga while pregnant are both great ways to get your body moving.

Staying active while pregnant is about getting your heart rate up at a healthy level. This increases circulation throughout your body and also improves heart health naturally. To make this method for how to lower blood pressure during pregnancy even more beneficial, better blood circulation can help fight swelling and inflammation.

Its important to consult your healthcare professional before starting any exercise routine to make sure its safe.;

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How Is High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Diagnosed

No one test diagnoses high blood pressure while pregnant. Instead, your doctor will take your blood pressure at each of your prenatal appointments. He or she will keep track of your blood pressure readings during your pregnancy and be able to spot any changes that could indicate an overall problem. He or she will also use urine and blood tests to watch for possible issues.

What Causes High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Some women have a higher chance to getting high blood pressure while theyre pregnant. These include women who:

• Are having their first baby.
• Have a mom or sister who had high blood pressure while pregnant.
• Are carrying multiple babies .
• Are older than 40 years old.
• Are African American.
• Were overweight when they became pregnant.
• Had high blood pressure before they became pregnant.

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Frequently Asked Questions Expand All

How often should blood pressure be checked during pregnancy?

Your obstetriciangynecologist ;should check your blood pressure at each prenatal care;visit. Blood pressure changes often during the day. If you have one high reading, another reading may be taken later during your office visit.

What is chronic hypertension?

Chronic hypertension is high blood pressure that a woman has before getting pregnant or that develops in the first half of pregnancy . If you were taking blood pressure medication before you got pregnanteven if your blood pressure is currently normalyou have been diagnosed with chronic hypertension.

How does chronic hypertension affect a pregnant woman?

When a woman is pregnant, her body makes more blood to support the fetuss growth. If blood pressure goes up during pregnancy, it can place extra stress on her heart and kidneys. This can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke. High blood pressure during pregnancy also increases the risk of preeclampsia, preterm;birth, placental abruption, and cesarean birth.

How does chronic hypertension affect a fetus?

High blood pressure may reduce blood flow to the placenta. As a result, the fetus may not get enough of the nutrients;and oxygen needed to grow.

Will I need to deliver early if I have chronic hypertension?

If your condition remains stable, delivery 1 to 3 weeks before your due date generally is recommended. If you or the fetus develop complications, delivery may be needed even earlier.

How To Deal With Low Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Pregnant women will experience dizziness due to low blood pressure; however, you can try these simple steps to minimize the symptoms as well as promote safety.

• Try to lie on your left side as it increases the flow of blood to your heart
• Avoid some sudden movement particularly when standing up from a seated position
• Avoid standing for long durations of time
• Wear support stockings, usually compression stockings
• Avoid caffeinated drinks or beverages and alcohol
• Consume several small meals during the day instead of the normal three large meals
• Exercise regularly because it sharpens the reflexes and helps keep the blood pressure within the normal range. Consult with your physician regarding the exercises you can do while pregnant.
• Drink plenty of fluids; a pregnant woman should drink more water than the recommended amount for normal people, usually drink between three quarts and a gallon of water a day.

When to Call the Doctor

In case the condition gets out of hand, you can always seek for professional help from your medical health care provider. Dizziness may be associated with troubling symptoms which should be observed keenly. It is recommended that any pregnant woman access emergency care in case she starts fainting, or starts experiencing more serious symptoms i.e. severe headache, blurring, weakness or numbness on one side of the body and shortness of breath.

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High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Treatment

If you have chronic hypertension, you may have been taking medicine for it before you became pregnant. Tell your doctor which medicine youre taking. He or she may say its okay to continue that medicine. But if the medicine isnt safe for your baby, you may need to switch to another medicine during your pregnancy. Like with all pregnancies, your doctor will check your blood pressure and urine during your regular appointments.

If you have gestational hypertension, your doctor will monitor your blood pressure and urine more closely. He or she will do this to watch for signs of preeclampsia. Your doctor may also monitor your baby. One way to do that is with an ultrasound. This is a painless test that lets your doctor see your baby inside your body.

How Can I Manage My High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Although there is no cure for chronic hypertension, there are ways to successfully manage your high blood pressure during pregnancy. Taking care of yourself is the best way to take care of your developing baby.

Below are some examples:

• Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or take illicit drugs
• Monitor your weight gain do not gain too much

Compiled using information from the following sources:

1. Harms, R. W., Johnson, R. V., & Murray, M. M. . Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

2. Mayo Clinic Staff. . Preeclampsia.

3. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. . Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month to Month, Fifth Edition. Washington, DC: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

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Natural Ways With Potential

If you do an Internet search, youll find dozens of other natural ways to lower blood pressure. They may be effective, but the evidence is limited or questionable.

Take stress reduction, for example. In 2017, the American Heart Association issued a scientific statement on the role of meditation in cardiovascular riskreduction. The AHA determined the concept was plausible, but the studies included too few subjects and used different endpoints, which made drawing conclusions impossible.

Some studies showed significant benefit, and others showed none. There simply wasnt enough data to say that meditation consistently lowers blood pressure, says Dr. Laffin. More likely, anything that relaxes you decreases blood pressure temporarily, but isnt a solution for people with sustained hypertension.

The same issue applies to various foods, spices, herbs and vitamins. You will probably find a study or two on each that says it lowers blood pressure, but these have never been robustly studied, he says.

If you are serious about using natural ways to lower blood pressure, choose one or more methods that have stood the test of time.

This article originally appeared in Cleveland Clinic Heart Advisor.

Changes In Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

As a woman progresses in her pregnancy, her blood pressure may change or return to pre-pregnancy levels. There are a few possible reasons for this.

The amount of blood in a womans body increases. According to the journal Circulation, a womans blood volume increases by as much as 45 percent during pregnancy. This is extra blood that the heart must pump throughout the body.

The left ventricle becomes thicker and larger. This temporary effect allows the heart to work harder to support the increased blood volume.

The kidneys release increased amounts of vasopressin, a hormone that leads to increased water retention.

In most cases, high blood pressure during pregnancy will decrease after the baby is delivered. In cases where blood pressure remains elevated, your doctor may prescribe medication to get it back to normal.

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How To Lower High Blood Pressure In Pregnancy

Gestational hypertension is a condition that may develop during pregnancy, particularly in women with high blood pressure, a personal or family history of preeclampsia, obesity, multiple pregnancies or certain conditions such as diabetes or arthritis. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure you should take some steps to stay healthy during pregnancy. At OneHowTo.com we have some tips for you to discover how to lower high blood pressure during pregnancy.

The first thing to know is that even if you do not feel ill, high blood pressure during pregnancy is a condition that requires care and attention otherwise it could lead you to a case of preeclampsia or eclampsia that would jeopardize your health and the baby’s. Therefore, it is advisable to take into account some suggestions to lower high blood pressure during pregnancy and maintain good health.

The first thing you should do in order to lower high blood pressure during pregnancy is to lower your salt intake. This is one of the main triggers of high blood pressure, so we recommend that:

Keep a healthy diet during your pregnancy rich in fruits, vegetables, minimising the consumption of pastries, processed sugars, fast food, fried food and you will greatly help to lower high blood pressure and keep yourself in good condition.

Attend all scheduled reviews and follow the instructions of your specialist for lowering high blood pressure during pregnancy and stay healthy.

Tracking Your Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

In addition to keeping all of your prenatal care appointments so your doctor can track your blood pressure readings, you might want to turn to home blood pressure technology, which has become quite good and should be considered fairly reliable.

In fact, for women with high blood pressure concerns, a home monitor is a nice way of taking ownership of ones care and being an active participant. Ask your physician which device shed recommend and then get a quick lesson on how to use it at home.

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Here Are 7 Natural Ways You Can Lower Your Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

1. Ditch the salt. Although your body requires sodium in small amounts, consuming too much sodium can lead to hypertension. So try to substitute salt for other spices, like cumin fresh herbs and lemon pepper. You can also rinse canned food to rid them of any extra sodium, and try your best to avoid processed foods and fast foods. If you buy processed foods, try to choose low-sodium options.

2. Eat a healthy more whole grains and potassium-rich foods. Go bananas on, well, bananas, but not just. Sweet potatoes, prunes, raisins, kidney beans, tomatoes and more are all high on potassium and can thus help you lower your blood pressure. Studies have shown that whole grains, which are rich in dietary fibers, can also help reduce hypertension. So fuel up on legumes, vegetables, protein and whole grains. For example, for breakfast you could have a mixed veggie omelet paired with whole grain toast and a side of fruit.

3. Destress. Whether you are pregnant or not, being stressed can actually cause your blood pressure to hike. So try eliminating the things that trigger anxiety, and do what you can to promote relaxation whether its meditation, yoga or breathing techniques. All these can eventually help you manage labor pain, so its good practice for the big day, too.

The first thing you should do in order tolower high blood pressure during pregnancy is to lower your salt intake. This is one of the main triggers of high blood pressure, so we recommend that: