Hypertension & Pregnancy – Part 1

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Hypertension refers to high blood pressure. High blood pressure can manifest itself in pregnancy in a number of different ways. Because of its length, the topic of hypertension will be separated into three different parts. In this segment, we will be discussing hypertension that exists prior to pregnancy known as pre-existing hypertension.

Pre-existing hypertension differs from hypertension or high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy. Pre-existing hypertension is defined as hypertension that occurs prior to getting pregnant. Usually, if hypertension is treated with medicine prior to pregnancy, treatment will need to continue during pregnancy as well. However, this may not always be the case. It is extremely important to discuss your condition with your doctor and whether or not you should continue your medication.

It is very important to treat high blood pressure during pregnancy because women with high blood pressure in pregnancy are at risk for many problems including poor growth of the baby, delivering the baby early, developing more severe high blood pressure during pregnancy, developing a disease called preeclampsia (which will be discussed in a later segment) and many other potential issues.

In our next discussion, we’re going to talk about gestational hypertension which is high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy.