High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy
What is hypertension in pregnancy?
Hypertension or high blood pressure is diagnosed when your blood pressure is ≥ 140/90 mm Hg during pregnancy. Depending on the type of hypertension it could be associated with complication to you and your baby.
What is the cause of hypertension in pregnancy?
To date, we do not know the exact cause of hypertension in pregnancy. It is thought to be due to problems during embryo implantation. In general, the blood vessel will become dilated and relaxed. However, in those who developed hypertension in pregnancy, their vessels remained abnormally contricted.
What are the different types of hypertension in pregnancy?
- Chronic hypertension: This is when the patient develops high blood pressure even before pregnancy or the hypertension was first diagnosed during pregnancy but before 20 weeks and the hypertension do not resolve 6 weeks after delivery.
- Gestational hypertension: This is when the patient develops high blood pressure during pregnancy but after 20 weeks and the hypertension resolve before 6 weeks after delivery. There is no protein in the urine.
- Preeclampsia: This is a more serious form of hypertension in pregnancy where the patient develops high blood pressure during pregnancy with presence of protein in the urine as well.
- Eclampsia: This is the most serious complication associated with hypertension in pregnancy where the patient develops seizures or convulsions during pregnancy.
This categorisation is made as the outcome and management of each type of hypertension is different. Please refer to the appropriate section to read in detail the different type of hypertension.
What is the cause of hypertension in pregnancy?
To date, we do not know the exact cause of hypertension in pregnancy. It is thought to be due to problems during embryo implantation. In general, the blood vessel will become dilated and relaxed. However, in those who developed hypertension in pregnancy, their vessels remained abnormally constricted
What are the different types of hypertension in pregnancy?
- Chronic hypertension:This is when the patient develops high blood pressure even before pregnancy or the hypertension was first diagnosed during pregnancy but before 20 weeks and the hypertension do not resolve 6 weeks after delivery.
- Gestational hypertension:This is when the patient develops high blood pressure during pregnancy but after 20 weeks and the hypertension resolve before 6 weeks after delivery. There is no protein in the urine.
- Preeclampsia: This is a more serious form of hypertension in pregnancy where the patient develops high blood pressure during pregnancy with presence of protein in the urineas well.
- Eclampsia: This is the most serious complication associated with hypertension in pregnancy where the patient develops seizures or convulsions during pregnancy.
This categorisation is made as the outcome and management of each type of hypertension is different. Please refer to the appropriate section to read in detail the different type of hypertension.
