History of Hypertension in Pregnancy

Hypertension in pregnancy is a condition where the pregnant woman suffers from high blood pressure. When the systolic blood pressure is more than or equal to 140 mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure is more than 90 mmHg, the pregnant mother is said to be suffering from hypertension in pregnancy. Approximately 5% to10% of all pregnancies in the United States are complicated by pregnancy-induced hypertension.

History of hypertension in pregnancy plays a major role in all the pregnancy related hypertension as it is by definition a gender specific condition. There are dangers associated with pregnancy-induced blood pressure. It is the foremost reason of maternal and neonatal morbidity all over the world.

There are chiefly three types of hypertension complications related with pregnancy. Gestational hypertension happens in pregnant women and typically goes away after birth. On the other hand, essential hypertension is when the pregnant woman has a history of hypertension. But the most dangerous type of hypertension is preeclampsia. It is distinguished by high blood pressure and kidney problems at the same time.

In all the three types of hypertension during pregnancy, the family history of hypertension can be a chief determining factor. Although it is important, there are other important causes also. Hypertension can occur either early in pregnancy or during the later stages.

Studies have been conducted to determine if the history of hypertension and other cardiovascular disease have any role to play in pregnancy induced hypertension. One study shows that women with a history of family members with heart disease, hypertension and stroke are more likely to suffer from hypertension when they get pregnant. The risk of preeclampsia increases two-fold for women who have two or more family members with hypertension.

Besides, family history, there are other possible determining factors of hypertension during pregnancy. Women who have either a history of diabetes or are of Afro-American descent or are under or over aged are susceptible to pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Thus, it can be safely deduced that women with family history of cardiovascular diseases are more likely to suffer from preeclampsia or transient hypertension in pregnancy. A women's susceptibility to hypertension increases with a history of hypertension in pregnancy. Treatment goals of such patients include taking care of the mother and the child and bringing the term to a successful delivery.