What is hypertension in pregnancy?
Your circulatory system is made up of the heart and blood vessels. Each time your heart beats (contracts), it pumps oxygen-rich blood into the arteries. This circulatory system functions because of blood pressure, which is necessary to push blood through the arteries. Your heart supplies some of the pressure when it beats and forces blood into the arteries. The arterioles (smallest branch of the arteries) also supply pressure. Arterioles are lined with a layer of muscle. When this muscle layer is relaxed, blood pressure is normal and blood flows easily through the arterioles. At times, this muscle layer constricts (tightens) and the arterioles close. As a result, blood pressure in arteries is increased. Blood pressure readings are checked with either a manual or an electronic device. The readings are expressed with two numbers. The first reading is called the systolic pressure. This number is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is contracting. The second number refers to the pr
Pregnancy-induced hypertension is a condition that causes elevated blood pressure in a mother-to-be. In order to be diagnosed with pregnancy-induced hypertension, your blood pressure levels must be higher than 140/90 mmHg during the last half of your pregnancy. Pregnancy-induced hypertension can be quite serious as it can lead to various complications both for you and your baby. In fact, preeclampsia and eclampsia, severe forms of pregnancy-induced hypertension, are the leading cause of infant and maternal death in the United States. Also called toxemia and gestational hypertension, pregnancy-induced hypertension is found in about 5% to 10% of all pregnancies in the United States. It is the most common medical problem associated with pregnancy but there is no known cause or cure for the condition. However, there are specific symptoms of hypertension in pregnancy. If you notice these hypertension symptoms, speak with your health care provider immediately. What causes Pregnancy-Induced H
