Hypertension in Pregnancy

Hypertension in Pregnancy is a condition where a pregnant woman develops high blood pressure, which affects the circulatory system. This condition can impact both the mother and the developing baby by reducing blood flow to vital organs and the placenta. It may cause symptoms like headaches, swelling, and vision changes, but sometimes it has no symptoms at all. If untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as pre-eclampsia, which involves damage to organs like the kidneys and liver. The condition requires careful monitoring to protect the health of both mother and child. Understanding this condition helps in recognizing the importance of prenatal care and blood pressure checks during pregnancy.

Hypertension in Pregnancy refers to elevated blood pressure occurring after 20 weeks of gestation in a previously normotensive woman. It is primarily caused by abnormal placental development leading to endothelial dysfunction and systemic vasoconstriction. The condition is classified into several types, including gestational hypertension, chronic hypertension with superimposed pre-eclampsia, and pre-eclampsia itself, which is characterized by hypertension plus proteinuria or end-organ damage. The pathophysiology involves impaired trophoblastic invasion of spiral arteries, resulting in placental ischemia and release of antiangiogenic factors. This leads to widespread vascular endothelial injury, increased vascular resistance, and activation of the coagulation cascade. Clinically, it is significant due to risks of maternal complications like eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and fetal complications such as intrauterine growth restriction and preterm birth.