Seven Ways to Support Healthy Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Pregnant or planning a pregnancy? 

It’s time to think about your blood pressure, even if you’ve never had high blood pressure. 

About half of pregnancy complications, such as having a preterm baby, are related to high blood pressure. Pregnancy complications also increase your risk of heart disease later in life.
 
But many pregnancy complications can be prevented. You may begin your pregnancy with a healthy blood pressure of less than 120/80 mm Hg, but still, develop a type of high blood pressure that occurs during or right after pregnancy. 

One complication is gestational hypertension, defined as blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg or greater.

It typically occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy or close to delivery. Another condition is preeclampsia, a combination of high blood pressure that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy with other signs your organs aren’t working well, such as high protein levels in your urine.

Serious cases can lead to life-threatening seizures or coma, a condition known as eclampsia. Here are seven ways to help keep you and your baby safe from problems related to high blood pressure.

1. Talk to your healthcare provider.

Even if you’re not yet pregnant, knowing if you have high blood pressure can help determine if you’re at higher risk for pregnancy-related complications. Work with your provider to make a plan for a healthy pregnancy. 

This includes discussing:

1.  What a healthy blood pressure range is for you.
2. How to control or lower high blood pressure by adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as being physically active, choosing heart-healthy foods that are low in salt and sodium, and not smoking.
3. Medications you are taking. If you’re already on blood pressure medicine, ask if the type you take is okay to use when pregnant.
4. Your family’s health history. If others in your family had preeclampsia, your provider may recommend taking extra precautions.
5. How other individual factors, such as your age, where you live, your race, or access to healthcare may affect your risk for pregnancy-related complications.