High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

High Blood Pressure During
Pregnancy

 

1. Limit salt intake:  A 1991 study conducted by the Department
of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Medical College of St
Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, looked at how a reduction in
salt intake can lower blood pressure. They recommended that the
patients reduce their salt intake by 3g and they found a change.
The study also heavily criticized the amount of salt in processed
foods.

2. Exercise: A study conducted by Tulane University, New
Orleans, in 2002 discussed the effect of aerobic exercise on blood
pressure. The study found that aerobic exercise not only lowers
the blood pressure of hypertensive patients but it is also a great
preventative measure.

Gentle exercise is best when you are pregnant. You should
consult a professional about your own personal abilities while
you are pregnant.

3. Maintain a healthy weight: Your weight is very important
before and while you are pregnant. According to the National
Institutes of Health those who are overweight are more likely to
develop high blood pressure.

The US Department of Health and Human Sciences recommends
that you know your BMI before you become pregnant. Then,
depending on which category you are in, you should only gain
the recommended weight. If your BMI is normal then you should
gain 25 to 30 pounds. If you are underweight you should gain 28
to 40 pounds. If you are overweight you should only gain15 to
25 pounds. Finally if you are classed as obese then you should
only gain 11 to 20 pounds.

The weight gain will mostly occur in the third trimester. According
to the US Department of Health and Human Sciences, you should
not gain more than 4 pounds in the first trimester. Then you
should gain 3 to 4 pounds every month from the start of the
second trimester. (Read more about ideal weight for women.)

4. Avoid smoking: According to a study conducted at Ottawa
Hospital in Canada, in 2010, found that those who smoke before
or during pregnancy are more likely to develop preeclampsia. The
risk to the mother and baby are also greatly increased in smokers
with preeclampsia.

5. Rest: The National Institutes of Health lists bed rest as one of
the most common treatments of high blood pressure during
pregnancy. Depending on the severity you may have to be
hospitalized and monitored. Simply lying down and taking the
weight off your feet and avoiding a lot of visitors, talking etc, can
help you lower your blood pressure.

6. Get protein from plants: A study conducted by the Welch
Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Johns
Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, in 2003, found that plant
protein had the ability to reduce blood pressure. Plant protein can
be found in nuts, soy products and lentils and other pulses.

7. Avoid stress: A study conducted by the Department of
Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, in 1993,
found that stress can cause not only a temporary spike in blood
pressure but can predict future hypertension. Stress should be
avoided during pregnancy anyway but if you are at risk for
developing hypertension, then take extra de-stressing measures
such as eating foods that help to reduce stress.

8. Potassium:  The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
recommend potassium as a way to lower blood pressure. The
recommended daily allowance is 4,700 mg per day. Some sources
of potassium include bananas, potatoes, avocados, lima beans
and raisins.

9. Massage: A study conducted by the London South Bank
University in 2007 found that a 20 minute facial massage could
lower your systolic blood pressure.

10. Calcium: A 1983 study conducted by the Division of
Nephrology and Hypertension, Oregon Health Sciences University;
Portland, in 1983, found that supplementing your calcium intake
with a further 1000mg can help lower blood pressure. According
to the US National Library of Medicine there are some studies
which seem to contradict the findings but there is not enough
evidence to dismiss the theory.

When you are pregnant it is important to listen to your doctor so
if you are in doubt about anything contact him or her.

Update:

11. Magnesium May Help.  Magnesium has been found effective in
lowering blood pressure in pregnant women with hypertension
induced by pregnancy or preeclampsia. A 2003 study from
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Good Hope Hospital
in the UK, among other similar studies, noted that “There is a
strong recent evidence recommended that magnesium sulphate
should be considered for women with pre-eclampsia for whom
there is concern about the risk of eclampsia.”