What to do if your blood pressure is high during late pregnancy

We live in a society where the economy, science and technology, and medical and health services are developing rapidly. It is also because of this that the pressure of our lives is increasing. Despite this, our living standards are gradually improving, but the improvement in living standards has also led to a higher incidence of certain diseases, such as high blood pressure. So let us now learn what to do if you have high blood pressure in late pregnancy.

1. What to do if your blood pressure is high in late pregnancy

1. Diet therapy

Pregnant women should limit calories appropriately and avoid overeating. Because obesity is a risk factor for gestational hypertension, and pregnant women require less calories after bed rest, excessive calorie load can aggravate the condition. Appropriately reduce salt intake. Excessive salt intake can cause sodium to be retained in the blood vessel walls, increasing the sensitivity of the blood vessel walls to pressor substances. Eat high-quality high-protein food, because pregnancy-induced hypertension causes proteinuria, often accompanied by hypoproteinemia, except for those with renal insufficiency. Appropriate supplementation of vitamins, minerals and calcium can reduce the incidence of gestational hypertension.

2. Postural therapy

Pregnant women with gestational hypertension should rest in bed in the left lateral position, because the left lateral position has a better diuretic effect, can reduce pressure on the inferior vena cava, improve placental function, and correct uterine placental hypoxia.

3. Antihypertensive drug therapy

Pregnancy-induced hypertension can be treated with oral antihypertensive medications. The drugs used mainly include central α-blockers, combined α1-β receptor blockers, combined α1-β receptor blockers, peripheral α-blockers, simple vasodilators, β-blockers, calcium ion blockers (CCBs), etc. However, the selection and administration of drugs during specific treatment should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.

2. How to prevent high blood pressure in late pregnancy

1. Conduct regular checkups in early pregnancy, mainly measuring blood pressure, urine protein and body weight. The incidence of gestational hypertension is higher in obese people, which should be given sufficient attention. Excessive energy intake in the late pregnancy and rapid weight gain per week are risk factors for gestational hypertension. Therefore, the energy intake of pregnant women should be aimed at gaining 0.5 kg per week.

2. Pay attention to rest and nutrition. You should feel happy and relaxed, try to stay in bed for more than 10 hours a day, preferably in side-lying position, to enhance blood circulation and improve blood supply to the kidneys. Avoid eating too salty food and ensure adequate intake of protein and vitamins. A diet with three highs and one low should be adopted, i.e., high protein, high calcium, high potassium and low sodium. The daily protein intake should be 100 grams, and the daily salt intake should be controlled to less than 5 grams. Helps prevent pregnancy-induced hypertension. Therefore, pregnant women should eat more fish, meat, eggs, milk and fresh vegetables, supplement iron and calcium, and eat less salty food.