High Blood Pressure and Preeclampsia in Pregnancy
High blood pressure problems occur in 6 percent to 8 percent of all pregnancies in the U.S., about 70 percent of which are first-time pregnancies. In 1998, more than 146,320 cases of preeclampsia alone were diagnosed. If your mother had pre–eclampsia, there is a two in 10 chance that you will develop pre-eclampsia during pregnancy too.
Although the proportion of pregnancies with gestational hypertension and eclampsia has remained about the same in the U.S. over the past decade, the rate of preeclampsia has increased by nearly one-third. This increase is due in part to a rise in the numbers of older mothers and of multiple births, where preeclampsia occurs more frequently.
For example, in 1998 birth rates among women ages 30 to 44 and the number of births to women ages 45 and older were at the highest levels in 3 decades, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Furthermore, between 1980 and 1998, rates of twin births increased about 50 percent overall and 1,000 percent among women ages 45 to 49; rates of triplet and other higher-order multiple births jumped more than 400 percent overall, and 1,000 percent among women in their 40s.
How Common Are High Blood Pressure and Preeclampsia in Pregnancy
High blood pressure problems occur in 6 percent to 8 percent of all pregnancies in the U.S., about 70 percent of which are first-time pregnancies. In 1998, more than 146,320 cases of preeclampsia alone were diagnosed.
What are the risks?
Preeclampsia causes your blood vessels to constrict (getting smaller), which reduces the flow to the placenta and other organs of your body. It can cause low birth weight and other problems for your baby because it can stop the baby getting enough air or food through the placenta.
Furthermore, Preeclampsia can develop into more serious condition Eclampsia. It is characterised by convulsions, and can lead to disability or death.
Somethimes, Pre-eclampsia can develop into something called HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets). In such cases women who develop HELLP syndrome usually have to deliver early to prevent serious complications.
Who is at most risk?
* First pregnancy.
* Women who suffered from high blood pressure before they got pregnant.
* Overweight women.
* Women under 20 or over 40.
* Those who have suffered pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy, or if your mother or sister suffered pre-eclampsia.
* Women with medical history of diabetes, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
* Multiple pregnancy.
From week 20 onwards in your pregnancy, a rise in blood pressure can indicate pre-eclampsia, and you should contact your doctor immediately. The doctor will take your blood pressure and likely do tests including urine analysis to look for protein.
Rate of Preeclampsia in US
Although the proportion of pregnancies with gestational hypertension and eclampsia has remained about the same in the U.S. over the past decade, the rate of preeclampsia has increased by nearly one-third. This increase is due in part to a rise in the numbers of older mothers and of multiple births, where preeclampsia occurs more frequently.
For example, in 1998 birth rates among women ages 30 to 44 and the number of births to women ages 45 and older were at the highest levels in 3 decades, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Furthermore, between 1980 and 1998, rates of twin births increased about 50 percent overall and 1,000 percent among women ages 45 to 49; rates of triplet and other higher-order multiple births jumped more than 400 percent overall, and 1,000 percent among women in their 40s.