Blood Pressure Outline
Introduction: High blood pressure or hypertension meaning high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Arteries are vessels that carry blood from the pumping heart to all the tissues and organs of the body. Normal Blood Pressure is below 120/80; blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is consider pre-hypertension, and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high. The systolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and pumps blood forward into the arteries. The diastolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes after the contraction.
Body:
Pregnant women with high blood pressure have healthy babies without serious problems; high blood pressure can be dangerous for both the mother and the fetus. Women …show more content…
with pre-existing, or chronic, high blood pressure are more likely to have certain complication during pregnancy than those with normal blood pressure. But in some cases women develop high blood pressure while pregnant this is called Gestational Hypertension. The effect of high blood pressure range from mild to severe. High blood pressure can harm the mother’s kidneys and other organs, and it can cause fetal complication, which include low birth weight, premature birth, and still birth. In the most serious cases, the mother develops preeclampsia or toxemia of pregnancy which can threaten the lives of both the mother and the fetus.
Preeclampsia is a condition that can often start after the 20th week of pregnancy and if you already have high blood pressure it may begin before the 20th week of pregnancy if you don’t have proper care. This is related to increased blood pressure and protein in the mother’s urine (as a result of kidney problems).
Who is more likely to develop Preeclampsia? * Women with chronic hypertension (high blood pressure before becoming pregnant). * Women who developed high blood pressure or preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy, especially if these conditions occurred early in the pregnancy. * Women who are obese prior to pregnancy. * Pregnant women under the age of 20 or over the age of 40. * Women who are pregnant with more than one baby. * Women with diabetes, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma.
What are the symptoms of preeclampsia? There are no symptoms for preeclampsia although there are warning signs: * Headaches * Vision trouble * Quick weight gain * Swelling of the hands and face * Pain in the right upper belly
What are some medications that you could take while pregnant?
|
Diuretics help the body get rid of excess sodium (salt) and water and help control blood pressure. They are often used in combination with additional prescription therapies. See an illustration of Diuretics.
| | | Generic name | Common brand names | | | chlorthalidone | Hygroton* | | | chlorothiazide | Diuril* | | | furosemide | Lasix* | | | hydrochlorothiazide | Esidrix*, Hydrodiuril*, Microzide* | | | indapamide | Lozol* | | | metolazone | Mykrox*, Zaroxolyn* | | | | | | | Potassium-sparing diuretics | | | amiloride hydrochloride | Midamar* | | | spironolactone | Aldactone* | | | triamterene | Dyrenium* | | | | | | | Loop diuretic | | | bumetanide | Bumex* | | | | | | | Combination diuretics | | | amiloride hydrochloride + hydrochlorothiazide | Moduretic* | | | spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide | Aldactazide* | | | triamterene + hydrochlorothiazide | Dyazide*, Maxzide* | |
What are some so the things that you could do to reduce your chances of having blood pressure during pregnancy; or to lower your risk of developing preeclampsia?
Step 1
Talk to your doctor about the medications you're currently taking. Some medications can cause increases in blood pressure. If so, he may prescribe an alternate medication or determine whether you can avoid taking it until after you deliver.
Step 2
Limit or eliminate fried foods. Continuous consumption of fried foods or foods highly concentrated in oil can cause oil to build up in your arteries. A buildup in your arteries narrows the path of blood flow, thus increasing your blood pressure. If you consume fried foods, balance the meal with fresh vegetables (i.e., fried chicken with a salad instead of french fries).
Step 3
Monitor your salt intake. The daily limit for consumption of salt is 2,400 mg; however, limiting your intake to 1,500 mg has shown significant results in lowering blood pressure. Processed foods, fast food and even some sports drinks are high in sodium even if they don't taste salty.
Step
4
Maintain a healthy weight and increase physical activity whenever possible. Doing so strengthens your heart and cardiovascular system, which enables your body to pump your blood more efficiently. Be sure to discuss potential methods with your doctor to ensure they are safe for you and for baby.
Step 5
Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol. Smoking and drinking puts stress on your heart and cardiovascular system and is dangerous to your baby.
Step 6
Increase your potassium by taking dietary supplements or eating foods rich in potassium. It is recommended to take 2,000 mg of potassium in a dietary supplement. Foods rich in potassium include bananas, orange juice, avocados, cantaloupe, tomatoes and chicken.
Step 7
Learn relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises or yoga to lower your stress levels and help to stabilize your blood pressure. Breathing techniques similar to those used in Lamaze classes can be effective in reducing anxiety or stress and inducing relaxation.
Body:
Pregnant women with high blood pressure have healthy babies without serious problems; high blood pressure can be dangerous for both the mother and the fetus. Women …show more content…
with pre-existing, or chronic, high blood pressure are more likely to have certain complication during pregnancy than those with normal blood pressure. But in some cases women develop high blood pressure while pregnant this is called Gestational Hypertension. The effect of high blood pressure range from mild to severe. High blood pressure can harm the mother’s kidneys and other organs, and it can cause fetal complication, which include low birth weight, premature birth, and still birth. In the most serious cases, the mother develops preeclampsia or toxemia of pregnancy which can threaten the lives of both the mother and the fetus.
Preeclampsia is a condition that can often start after the 20th week of pregnancy and if you already have high blood pressure it may begin before the 20th week of pregnancy if you don’t have proper care. This is related to increased blood pressure and protein in the mother’s urine (as a result of kidney problems).
Who is more likely to develop Preeclampsia? * Women with chronic hypertension (high blood pressure before becoming pregnant). * Women who developed high blood pressure or preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy, especially if these conditions occurred early in the pregnancy. * Women who are obese prior to pregnancy. * Pregnant women under the age of 20 or over the age of 40. * Women who are pregnant with more than one baby. * Women with diabetes, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma.
What are the symptoms of preeclampsia? There are no symptoms for preeclampsia although there are warning signs: * Headaches * Vision trouble * Quick weight gain * Swelling of the hands and face * Pain in the right upper belly
What are some medications that you could take while pregnant?
|
Diuretics help the body get rid of excess sodium (salt) and water and help control blood pressure. They are often used in combination with additional prescription therapies. See an illustration of Diuretics.
| | | Generic name | Common brand names | | | chlorthalidone | Hygroton* | | | chlorothiazide | Diuril* | | | furosemide | Lasix* | | | hydrochlorothiazide | Esidrix*, Hydrodiuril*, Microzide* | | | indapamide | Lozol* | | | metolazone | Mykrox*, Zaroxolyn* | | | | | | | Potassium-sparing diuretics | | | amiloride hydrochloride | Midamar* | | | spironolactone | Aldactone* | | | triamterene | Dyrenium* | | | | | | | Loop diuretic | | | bumetanide | Bumex* | | | | | | | Combination diuretics | | | amiloride hydrochloride + hydrochlorothiazide | Moduretic* | | | spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide | Aldactazide* | | | triamterene + hydrochlorothiazide | Dyazide*, Maxzide* | |
What are some so the things that you could do to reduce your chances of having blood pressure during pregnancy; or to lower your risk of developing preeclampsia?
Step 1
Talk to your doctor about the medications you're currently taking. Some medications can cause increases in blood pressure. If so, he may prescribe an alternate medication or determine whether you can avoid taking it until after you deliver.
Step 2
Limit or eliminate fried foods. Continuous consumption of fried foods or foods highly concentrated in oil can cause oil to build up in your arteries. A buildup in your arteries narrows the path of blood flow, thus increasing your blood pressure. If you consume fried foods, balance the meal with fresh vegetables (i.e., fried chicken with a salad instead of french fries).
Step 3
Monitor your salt intake. The daily limit for consumption of salt is 2,400 mg; however, limiting your intake to 1,500 mg has shown significant results in lowering blood pressure. Processed foods, fast food and even some sports drinks are high in sodium even if they don't taste salty.
Step
4
Maintain a healthy weight and increase physical activity whenever possible. Doing so strengthens your heart and cardiovascular system, which enables your body to pump your blood more efficiently. Be sure to discuss potential methods with your doctor to ensure they are safe for you and for baby.
Step 5
Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol. Smoking and drinking puts stress on your heart and cardiovascular system and is dangerous to your baby.
Step 6
Increase your potassium by taking dietary supplements or eating foods rich in potassium. It is recommended to take 2,000 mg of potassium in a dietary supplement. Foods rich in potassium include bananas, orange juice, avocados, cantaloupe, tomatoes and chicken.
Step 7
Learn relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises or yoga to lower your stress levels and help to stabilize your blood pressure. Breathing techniques similar to those used in Lamaze classes can be effective in reducing anxiety or stress and inducing relaxation.