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Is It Normal To Have High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy?
Im 33 weeks pregnant and had a sudden spike in my blood pressure. It went to 170/110 but slowly went down throughout the day. Was feeling horrible (headache, anxious, very hot and flushed) during the spike and all symptoms except the headache have went away. All bloodwork came back normal except my liver function panel was a bit off. Awaiting 24 hr protein test results and am on bedrest until all tests come back. My BP s have stayed normal (110/78 range) since the spike. Is it possible to have preeclampsia with normal BP s, or is it possible to have random spikes that high and nothing be wrong?
Fri, 12 Feb 2016
Hello dear,
I understand your concern.
In my opinion there is no chance of preeclampsia with normal BP.
Infact preeclampsia is a combination of high BP more than or equal to 140/90 along with proteinuria and with or without pathological swelling of feet.
But at the same time presence of spikes of high BP might also cannot be considered as normal.
Mild elevations upto 130/80 might be acceptable but not more than that.
The BP should be recorded at 6 hours apart.
If at both the instances the BP is high pregnancy induced hypertension(PIH) is said to be present.
The presence of abnormal liver parameters,headache,high spikes of BP might suggest PIH .
24 hour protein is helpful to diagnose if it is just PIH or preeclampsia.
Avoid stress and relax.
As there are medicines available which can control BP.
Check your fetal movements and other symptoms of eclampsia like vomitings,epigastric pain,blurred vision,decreased urine output.These are called imminent signs of eclampsia.
Eclampsia is a condition where preeclampsia is superimposed by fits.
Take high protein diet and relax.
You might not go upto that eclampsia level but just Iam giving you the information.
Hope this helps.
Best regards..Dr.Srilatha
I understand your concern.
In my opinion there is no chance of preeclampsia with normal BP.
Infact preeclampsia is a combination of high BP more than or equal to 140/90 along with proteinuria and with or without pathological swelling of feet.
But at the same time presence of spikes of high BP might also cannot be considered as normal.
Mild elevations upto 130/80 might be acceptable but not more than that.
The BP should be recorded at 6 hours apart.
If at both the instances the BP is high pregnancy induced hypertension(PIH) is said to be present.
The presence of abnormal liver parameters,headache,high spikes of BP might suggest PIH .
24 hour protein is helpful to diagnose if it is just PIH or preeclampsia.
Avoid stress and relax.
As there are medicines available which can control BP.
Check your fetal movements and other symptoms of eclampsia like vomitings,epigastric pain,blurred vision,decreased urine output.These are called imminent signs of eclampsia.
Eclampsia is a condition where preeclampsia is superimposed by fits.
Take high protein diet and relax.
You might not go upto that eclampsia level but just Iam giving you the information.
Hope this helps.
Best regards..Dr.Srilatha
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