In this article, Dr. Adriana Davis, DO, Family Medicine, shares her expert insights of the findings and provides Mississippi residents with evidence-based recommendations for protecting their health.
Why This Matters to You: Did you know that chronically high blood pressure, during pregnancy, has doubled in the U.S. between 2008 and 2021?
What This Means for Your Health: The findings underscore the need for adherence to clinical guidelines for accurate diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure in pregnancy. This finding is particularly relevant for expectant mothers in Harrison County because it highlights the importance of monitoring and managing blood pressure before and during pregnancy.
By keeping a close eye on their blood pressure, expectant mothers can potentially reduce the risk of severe hypertension, preeclampsia, and other pregnancy complications--all of these can lead to worsened maternal health outcomes.
Did you know that up to 16% of all pregnant women experience high blood pressure during their pregnancy. Hypertension in pregnancy can occur up to 6 weeks after delivery. (Yale Medicine)
Doctors' Expert Insights about the practical steps Harrison County women can take to manage their blood pressure during and after their pregnancy
Know this: The study's main finding--the doubling of chronic hypertension during pregnancy in the U.S. between 2008 and 2021 is a huge, but very manageable issue, for pregnant mothers. Dr. Sadiya S. Khan, Professor of Cardiovascular Epidemiology at Northwestern University, states, "Since nearly 1 in 3 individuals with chronic hypertension may face a pregnancy complication, the prevention and control of hypertension should be among the highest priorities for improving maternal health."
The rate of chronic hypertension during pregnancy steadily increased from 1.8% to 3.7% between 2008 and 2021, doubling over the 14-year study period.
A higher proportion of individuals with high blood pressure during pregnancy were ages 35 or older. They generally live in the South; and many had other chronic health conditions like obesity, diabetes, or kidney disease.
You should know your family history. If you have a family history of preeclampsia, it's essential to inform your healthcare provider. By making your provider aware of this increased risk factor, they can recommend personalized precautions and closely monitor your blood pressure throughout your pregnancy. This proactive approach can help detect any potential issues early on and ensure that you receive the appropriate care and treatment to minimize the risk of complications for both you and your baby.
Dr. Adriana Davis, Family Medicine, adds, "You may need a cardiovascular screening 3 months after pregnancy and then annually to measure your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and weight. You should also know that if you live in Harrison County, you may be eligible for free insurance during your pregnancy!"
Key Findings
The use of blood pressure medications during pregnancy for women with chronic hypertension remained steady at around 57% to 60%. However, the specific types of medications used changed over time, with a shift from older drugs (methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide) to newer ones (labetalol and nifedipine).
AHA news release: Improving blood pressure control after pregnancy had long-term cardiovascular benefits (November 2023)
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Next Steps
To better manage chronic hypertension during pregnancy, individuals in Harrison County, should take the following steps:
- Regularly monitor blood pressure before and during pregnancy. Do not hesitate in raising any concerns with your healthcare provider.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes the classics like eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and following stress management techniques to help control blood pressure and reduce the risk of pregnancy complications.
"For expectant mothers who've been prescribed antihypertensive medication, it is crucial to take the medication as prescribed and not stop without consulting their doctor. You should know that properly managing chronic hypertension with medication can significantly reduce the risk of severe complications for both mother and baby!" Dr. Shelandra Bell, Family Medicine.
Bottom Line: The key takeaway for residents of Harrison County, in Mississippi, is that monitoring and managing blood pressure before and during pregnancy is crucial for reducing the risk of severe hypertension, preeclampsia, and other complications.
Resource: The US Department of Health and Human Services has a great resource to see if you're eligible for health assistance during your pregnancy. (Visit Site)
What the researchers are saying: "In 2017, clinical guideline from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology revised the thresholds to diagnose high blood pressure from 140/90 mm Hg to 130/80 mm Hg for stage 1, and from 160/110 mm Hg to 140/90 mm Hg for stage 2 hypertension. The guideline recommends medication treatment for non-pregnant adults with stage 2 high blood pressure; for stage 1 high blood pressure in individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, or kidney disease; and for stage 1 high blood pressure in individuals with established cardiovascular disease or without cardiovascular disease but with an estimated 10% or higher risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease." (Study Editorial)
Read More: Seafood During Pregnancy? Yes! Doctor Explains.
Read the Study in the Journal Hypertension. (Touch/Click Here)
Health Standard Newswire: High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Can Harm Both the Mother and Child.
Key Health and Medical Statistics of Harrison County, Mississippi
Did you know there were 8837 deaths from heart disease in Mississippi in 2021?
19.2% of you in Harrison County are smokers.
33.2% of you in Harrison County have been screen for cholesterol in the past 5 years.
36.3% of you in Harrison County are obese.
35.4% of you in Harrison County are sleeping less than 7 hours per night.
The health data mentioned above has a direct impact on your physical well-being and plays a crucial role in determining your overall health outcomes.
The Health Standard Newswire.
