Hypertension and Pregnancy: What are the Risk Factors?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition in which blood moves at high speeds through the arteries. This condition is not symptomatic but can lead to serious complications if it isn't treated.

This condition is very common in pregnant women.

Hypertension in pregnancy is safe if it is managed properly. Hypertension can pose serious health risks for both the mother and her baby. The CDC states that hypertension affects 6-8 percent of American women who are pregnant between 20 and 40 years old.

High blood pressure during pregnancy: Causes

• The following are common causes of hypertension in pregnancy:
• Obesity and overweight
• To smoke
• Insufficient physical activity
• First-time pregnancy
• Family history
• Age (Women over 35 years old are more susceptible).
• Assistive reproduction technology
• Consuming alcohol
• Typical risk factors for hypertension during pregnancy
• Lifestyle habits.

Hypertension in pregnancy can be caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices. Hypertension can be caused by being overweight or obese, and not exercising enough.

Type of pregnancy

• Hypertension is more common in women who have just had a baby. This condition is rare in subsequent pregnancies.
• Hypertension is more common when multiple children are carried in one pregnancy. This is because the baby's body has to work harder to feed them.
• The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has found that IVF and assistive technology may increase the risk of high blood pressure in pregnant patients.

Age

Hypertension is a serious risk for pregnant women over 35. Women who have had hypertension in the past before getting pregnant are more likely to develop it during pregnancy.

Types of Pregnancy-related hypertension

Chronic Hypertension

Preexisting hypertension can be present in a woman before she gets pregnant. This condition is called chronic hypertension and can be treated with medication.

Gestational Hypertension

This type of hypertension is usually present after the 20th week. It is usually resolved after birth. Preeclampsia is most likely if it is diagnosed within the first 30 days.

How to manage hypertension during pregnancy

The blood pressure may change as the pregnancy progresses. These changes could be explained by:

• A rise in blood volume: The woman's blood volume increases by 45 percent during pregnancy. This is extra blood that the heart must pump throughout the body. This makes it more powerful to circulate blood throughout the body.
• The left ventricle gets larger and thicker, which makes the heart work harder to support the increased blood volume.
• Vasopressin is a hormone that increases water retention.

Most hypertension in pregnancy will disappear after the birth. Your doctor may prescribe medication if hypertension persists.

Exercise and diet can help to reduce some of the risk factors that lead to hypertension. The best way to control blood pressure is to find out what causes it. It is normal for pregnant women to gain weight. Consult your doctor if you are concerned about this. They will be able to help you determine a healthy weight range and set a target weight.

How to Prevent Hypertension During Pregnancy

Pregnant women have different diet plans. A nutritionist can help you create a diet plan that suits your individual weight and height.

Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption as they can raise blood pressure and lead to other serious conditions in pregnancy.

It has been shown that lowering salt intake is an effective way of controlling hypertension. It is important to consume salt during pregnancy. This is true even for hypertension patients. Restricting salt intake can be harmful for pregnant women, and it can also affect the growth and development of fetus.

Pregnancy can trigger hormonal changes as well as physical and psychological changes. Hypertension will be made more difficult by this stress. Meditation and yoga are great stress management options.