Causes and Dangers of Hypertension in Pregnant Women

Cases of hypertension in pregnancy increased from 16 million to 18 million worldwide (2019). This condition harms the mother and the baby in the womb.  

You can read the discussion below about the dangers, causes, symptoms, and treatments you need to take to reduce the risk of hypertension.  

Gestational Hypertension

Gestational hypertension refers to high blood pressure or hypertension that occurs during pregnancy. It usually happens after 20 weeks of pregnancy and returns to normal after delivery.  

The danger that hypertension in pregnancy may cause include preeclampsia (hypertension and protein leak into the urine), eclampsia (hypertension and convulsions before, during, or after delivery), stroke, and placental abruption.  

Not only pregnant women are in danger. A fetus can potentially be harmed by hypertension. These harms include stunted growth due to a lack of oxygen and nourishment, premature birth, low birth weight, and trouble during labor.  

Read more: 5 Ways to Prevent Hypertension You Must Know

Causes and Symptoms of Hypertension in Pregnancy  

The actual etiology of hypertension in pregnancy remains unknown. However, certain conditions are thought to increase pregnancy-induced hypertension. The following are some of the potential causes or risk factors of hypertension in pregnancy.   

• Pregnant before the age of 20 or over 40.  
• History of hypertension or preeclampsia in the previous pregnancy.  
• Have a history of gestational hypertension in a family.  
• Suffer from kidney disease.  
• Have an autoimmune disease, such as lupus.  
• Pregnant with twins. 

Most hypertensive people have no symptoms. As a result, determining whether you have the disease without undergoing a medical examination is difficult. 

However, some pregnant women experience gestational hypertension symptoms such as those listed below. 

• Swelling (edema).  
• Headache.  
• Rapid and unexpected weight increase.  
• Vision deteriorates.  
• Nausea and vomiting.  
• Urinary frequency and volume both decrease.  
• Abdominal pain.  

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Read more: Not All Breast Tumors Are Cancerous

Hypertension in Pregnancy Treatment 

As a secondary prevention step, numerous options exist for lowering high blood pressure in pregnant women. The first approach is to limit food that triggers high blood pressure for pregnant women with hypertension, as shown below.  

• Foods with a lot of salt.  
• Processed foods, such as sausages, meatballs, nuggets, and canned foods.  
• Fried foods.  
• High-fat meats.  
• Margarine and other foods are high in trans fats.  
• Foods and beverages that are sweet or high in sugar.  
• Alcoholic or caffeinated drinks.  
• Too much complimentary seasonings such as sauce, soy sauce, or salad dressing.  

The next step is to consume a well-balanced, nutritious diet—particularly some of the meals listed below.  

• Foods are high in fiber. Green veggies, carrots, and avocados are a few examples.  
• Foods are high in magnesium. For instance, spinach, chia seeds, oats, and soy milk.  
• Potassium-rich foods. Potatoes, bananas, avocados, spinach, and broccoli are some examples.  

Prenatal checkups are also recommended for mothers who are pregnant as well as following a doctor's advice and using antihypertensive medications during pregnancy. 

The Second Trimester Pregnancy Panel is one sort of examination that you can do during the prenatal check. This test is recommended in the second trimester because hypertension usually arises after the 20th week. 

Referensi: 

BMC Pregnancy And Childbirth (2021), Epidemiological Trends Of Maternal Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy At The Global, Regional, And National Levels: A Population‐based Study. 

International Journal Of Cardiology Hypertension (2021), Association Of Family History With Incidence And Gestational Hypertension Outcomes Of Preeclampsia. 

The Journal Of Applied Laboratory Medicine (2021), A Critical Review On The Use Of Race In Understanding Racial Disparities In Preeclampsia.  

The Journal Of Maternal-fetal & Neo-natal Medicine (2021), The Association Between High-normal Blood Pressure And The Development Of Preeclampsia In Twin Pregnancies. 

Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (2021), High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy.  

Medical News Today (2021), 50 Foods And Drinks To Avoid For People With High Blood Pressure. 

WebMD (2021), High Blood Pressure Diet. 

Cleveland Clinic (2022), High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) During Pregnancy. 

Mayo Clinic (2022), High Blood Pressure (Hypertension).