Seven Ways To Support Blood Pressure During pregnancy
Pregnant or planning a pregnancy? It’s time to think about
your blood pressure, even if you’ve never had high blood
pressure. About half of pregnancy complications, such as having a
preterm baby, are related to high blood pressure. Pregnancy complications also
increase your risk of heart disease later in life. But many pregnancy
complications can be prevented.You may begin your pregnancy with a healthy
blood pressure of less than 120/80 mm Hg, but still develop a type of high
blood pressure that occurs during or right after pregnancy. One complication is
gestational hypertension, defined as blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg or greater. It
typically occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy or close to delivery.Another
condition is preeclampsia, a combination of high blood pressure that develops
after 20 weeks of pregnancy with other signs your organs aren’t working well,
such as high protein levels in your urine. Serious cases can lead to
life-threatening seizures or coma, a condition known as eclampsia.Here are
seven ways to help keep you and your baby safe from problems related to high
blood pressure.1. Talk to your healthcare provider.Even if you’re not
yet pregnant, knowing if you have high blood pressure can help determine if
you’re at higher risk for pregnancy-related complications. Work with your
provider to make a plan for a healthy pregnancy. This includes discussing:
- What a
healthy blood pressure range is for you.
- How to
control or lower high blood pressure by adopting a healthy lifestyle, such
as being physically active, choosing heart-healthy foods that are low in
salt and sodium, and not smoking.
- Medications
you are taking. If you’re already on blood pressure medicine, ask if the
type you take is okay to use when pregnant.
- Your
family’s health history. If others in your family had preeclampsia, your
provider may recommend taking extra precautions.
- How
other individual factors, such as your age, where you live, your race, or
access to healthcare may affect your risk for pregnancy-related
complications.
2. Monitor your blood pressure.Usually, you can’t
feel if you have high blood pressure. As part of your regular prenatal care,
your provider will check your blood pressure at each visit. If it’s high, they may
suggest you get a home monitor. If you need one, ask someone at your provider’s
office to help make sure it’s working properly and that you’re using it
correctly. Then keep track of your numbers. Also, ask your healthcare provider
when you should call if your numbers go up.3. Know the signs of
preeclampsia.Preeclampsia may not cause symptoms at first. However, you may
notice some mild symptoms, such as:
- Swelling
in your hands or face
- Gaining
weight suddenly over one to two days
- Gaining
more than two pounds a week
- Peeing
less often than normal
Preeclampsia generally occurs after the 20th week of
pregnancy. It can also develop after delivery, most often within 48 hours. If
you have any symptoms or something doesn’t feel right, it’s always best to call
your provider. Go to the emergency department or call 9-1-1 if you experience
any of these symptoms of severe preeclampsia:
- Headache
that doesn’t go away or becomes worse
- Trouble
breathing
- Pain
on the right side, below the ribs, or in the right shoulder
- Nausea
and vomiting
- Vision
changes
4. Get support from friends and family.Share signs of
pregnancy complications with your family and friends. Ask them to help you
monitor how you’re feeling and help you get medical care. When you’re talking
to a health provider, these friends can make sure you describe all of your
symptoms and ask all of your questions, and they can advocate for you so you
get the care you need.5. Try to manage stress.Stress isn’t good for your
blood pressure. Practice turning on your body’s built-in relaxation response
(the opposite of the stress response). Guided imagery, progressive muscle
relaxation, and deep breathing exercises are techniques that can help you
relax. Moving more can help calm your mind and body, and is important for your
overall heart health. Try yoga or meet up with friends for a brisk walk. Being
in nature can also be very soothing for some people.6. Stay healthy
post-pregnancy.After your pregnancy, try to keep up your self-care
routines, especially for your heart health. If you had preeclampsia, you’ll
need to take extra care of your heart. One of the best things you can do is
share the details about pregnancy complications with your healthcare providers.
Tell them what happened and what treatment you received. You may need a
cardiovascular screening three months after pregnancy and then annually. The
screening will measure your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and weight.
Remember — you know your body. Identifying and modifying cardiovascular disease
risks early can significantly reduce the risk for experiencing a heart attack
or stroke later in life. Tell your healthcare provider if your blood pressure
goes up or something doesn’t feel right.7. Learn more.Learn more
about heart
health and pregnancy and find resources for tracking your blood
pressure numbers at nhlbi.nih.gov/hypertension.
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