Pregnancy and High Blood Pressure
In
some women, blood pressure can increase if they use birth control
pills, become pregnant, or take hormone therapy during menopause.
Pregnancy
Many
pregnant women with high blood pressure have healthy babies. However,
high blood pressure can be dangerous for both the mother and the
baby. High blood pressure can harm the mother's kidneys and other
organs, and it can cause low birth weight and early delivery.
If
you are thinking about having a baby and you have high blood
pressure, talk first to your doctor or nurse. You can take steps
to control your
blood pressure before and during pregnancy. Regular prenatal care
(health care during pregnancy) is very important for your and
your baby's health.
Before
becoming pregnant:
-
Be
sure your blood pressure is under control. Making changes
such as limiting the salt and sodium in your diet, exercising
regularly, and losing weight if you are overweight can be
helpful.
-
Discuss
with your doctor how high blood pressure might affect you
and your baby during pregnancy, and what you can do to prevent
or lessen problems.
-
If
you take medicines for your blood pressure, ask your doctor
what you should do about taking them during pregnancy. Women
who take ACE inhibitors should talk to their doctor before
they become pregnant.
While
you are pregnant:
-
Be
sure to get regular prenatal health care. Don't miss any
appointments.
-
Don't
drink alcohol or smoke.
-
Talk
to your doctor about any over-the-counter or prescribed medicines
you are taking or are thinking about taking.
-
Some
women develop high blood pressure for the first time in the
middle of their pregnancy. In the most serious cases, the
mother develops a condition called preeclampsia or "toxemia
of pregnancy." This condition can threaten the lives
of both the mother and the unborn child. More
information about high blood pressure and pregnancy is available
at the NHLBI Web site, "Your Guide to Lowering Your High
Blood Pressure."
-
Even
though high blood pressure during pregnancy can be serious,
most women with high blood pressure and those who develop
preeclampsia have successful pregnancies. Getting early and
regular prenatal care is the most important thing you can
do for you and your baby.
Oral
Contraceptives (Birth Control Pills)
Women
taking birth control pills usually have a small increase in both
systolic and diastolic blood pressure. If you have high blood
pressure and are using birth control pills, get your blood pressure
checked regularly and talk to your doctor about a possible rise
in blood pressure and what you can do about it.
If
you have high blood pressure, are age 35 or older, and also smoke,
you should not take birth control pills unless you quit smoking.
Women age 35 and older who smoke and use birth control pills are
more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. High blood
pressure also raises your chances of stroke and heart disease.
If
you are age 35 or older, are healthy, do not smoke, and your high
blood pressure is controlled, it may be safe for you to use birth
control pills. Ask your doctor if birth control pills are safe
for you.
Hormone
Therapy (HT) for Menopause
A
recent study indicated that blood pressure does not increase
significantly with HT in most women with and without high blood
pressure. However, a few women may have a rise in blood pressure
due to estrogen therapy.
If
you start taking HT, you should have your blood pressure checked
regularly. Your doctor can help answer your questions.
What
is blood pressure?
What is normal blood pressure?
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Cause Of High Blood Pressure
Treatment For High Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure Medication
Pregnancy and High Blood Pressure
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