What Affects Blood Pressure When Pregnant?

Blood pressure is a general measurement of the force exerted on the arterial walls by blood. This can be affected by many factors, including physical state, sex, gender and health. Blood pressure when pregnant can also vary drastically from an individual's baseline state, and this change can be attributed to multiple sources. Among others, heredity, the immune system, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome and diabetes are all factors that might alter blood pressure when pregnant. Other preexisting conditions also might affect one's blood pressure during pregnancy.

In healthy individuals, blood pressure typically is 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The first number represents the pressure during contraction of the heart muscle, and the second is the pressure during the relaxation of the heart. When blood pressure is too high, it can be a significant threat to the health of an individual in many ways, placing more stress on the cardiovascular system because more pressure is working against the movement of blood. Blood pressure when pregnant is particularly important to the health of the mother and baby, and if high blood pressure, also called hypertension, exists into the second trimester, it is classified clinically as preeclampsia.

A woman previously diagnosed with hypertension or preeclampsia is more likely to redevelop these conditions during pregnancy because she possesses known factors that contribute to high blood pressure when pregnant. A poor diet, including one that is high in sodium, might also dramatically exacerbate high blood pressure by promoting fluid retention or weight gain. Obesity might increase blood pressure when pregnant as well by placing more stress on the heart through greater physiological demands.

Other risk factors such as diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, lead exposure and poor placental blood flow have been known to lead to preeclampsia. The list of risk factors such as these is constantly growing. Therefore, it is important for those who are potentially affected to stay informed.

Preeclampsia, or high blood pressure during pregnancy, is a very serious clinical disorder that is potentially fatal for the baby or mother if it is not properly managed. Although no cure for this condition existed as of early 2011, preeclampsia can be controlled with blood pressure medications, diet, control of the risk factors and frequent monitoring by a medical doctor. Blood pressure for many mothers who suffer from this condition usually returns to normal after pregnancy. It is in the best interest of a mother to continually be monitored in the weeks and months following gestation.