Chronic hypertension is high blood pressure that is diagnosed before pregnancy or before the 20th week of pregnancy. It does not go away after delivery.
Chronic hypertension with preeclampsia affect about 25 percent of women with chronic hypertension who also develop preeclampsia.
How are women with chronic hypertension treated?
Most of these women with chronic hypertension have healthy pregnancies. Health care providers monitor their blood pressure and urine carefully for signs of preeclampsia or worsening hypertension.
Doing Ultrasound test and measuring fetal heart rate on regular base are recommended in order to ensure normal fetal growth and well-being. Sometimes doctor may recommend that the pregnant woman cut back on her activities and avoid aerobic exercise.
Women with chronic high blood pressure should see their health care provider before attempting to conceive. A preconception visit allows the provider to ensure that the blood pressure is under control and to evaluate any medication the woman takes to control her blood pressure.
While some medications to lower blood pressure are safe during pregnancy, still the others — including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers — can harm the fetus.
Some women with chronic high blood pressure may be able to stop taking their medication or reduce their dose, at least during the first half of pregnancy, as blood pressure tends to fall during this time.
However, blood pressure needs to be monitored carefully during this period.
So, if you are thinking about having a baby and you suffer from high blood pressure, talk first to your doctor or nurse. Also take a necessary steps to control your blood pressure before and during pregnancy — and getting regular prenatal care — go a long way toward ensuring your well-being and your baby’s health.
Before becoming pregnant:
1. Be sure your blood pressure is under control. Lifestyle changes such as limiting your salt intake, participating in regular physical activity, and losing weight if you are overweight can be helpful.
2. Discuss with your doctor how hypertension might affect you and your baby during pregnancy, and what you can do to prevent or lessen problems.
3. If you take medicines for your blood pressure, ask your doctor whether you should change the amount you take or stop taking them during pregnancy. Experts currently recommend avoiding angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and Angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonists during pregnancy; other blood pressure medications may be OK for you to use. Do not, however, stop or change your medicines unless your doctor tells you to do so.
While you are pregnant:
* Obtain regular prenatal medical care
* Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
* Talk to your doctor about any over-the-counter medications you are taking or are thinking about taking.
Do Pregnancy induced high blood pressure (preeclampsia) and other forms of high blood pressure affect a woman’s health later in life?
Studies suggest that untreated chronic hypertension increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. Also women who develop preeclampsia before term may be at increased risk for cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease later in life, especially after menopause. Therefore, women who have had these disorders should discuss with their health care providers what they can do to reduce their risk.