By American Heart Association News Show Please note: This article was published more than two years ago, so some information may be outdated. If you have questions about your health, always contact a health care professional.  A daily dose of aspirin could help pregnant women in the first stage of high blood pressure avoid a condition that puts both mother and baby in danger, according to a new study. New guidelines lowering the threshold for what defines high blood pressure pose a quandary for doctors who treat pregnant women at risk for preeclampsia. High blood pressure is one risk factor for that condition, which can cause stroke and seizures; premature separation of the placenta; damage to the mother’s kidneys and liver; and premature birth and low birth weight. And while women at high risk for preeclampsia already are given low-dose aspirin as a preventive measure, now doctors must decide whether to give it to women who were not considered candidates for the drug under previous blood pressure guidelines. “We are going to have a lot more patients that come in with the new high blood pressure diagnosis, and we needed to figure out what to do. What is their risk for preeclampsia? Is it the same?” said Dr. Alisse Hauspurg, who is in her second year of a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at the Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburg Medical Center. She led the University of Pittsburg study, published Friday in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension, which shows low-dose aspirin could help prevent preeclampsia in women in the first stage of high blood pressure. The blood pressure guidelines issued in November now consider a reading of 130 on the top or 80 on the bottom to be stage 1 hypertension. In the past, that standard was 140/90. Hauspurg’s research showed taking a low-dose aspirin reduced the risk of developing preeclampsia by 39 percent in women with stage 1 hypertension compared to those taking a placebo. View text version of infographic “I was really surprised that the difference is as big as it is,” Hauspurg said. The study was a second look at data collected in a trial investigating low-dose aspirin to prevent preeclampsia in high-risk women. However, aspirin didn’t significantly reduce the likelihood of preeclampsia in women who didn’t have high blood pressure but who were still at high risk for the condition. These included women with insulin-dependent diabetes and previous preeclampsia, among other risk factors, for whom preeclampsia risk dropped by just 3 percent. The women were recruited between 1989 and 1992 and were given 60 milligrams of aspirin a day during pregnancy. Today, a dose of 81 to 160 milligrams is more common, Hauspurg said. The original study included 2,539 women but only 1,020 were used in this analysis, which did not include women carrying multiple fetuses and who had pre-existing hypertension that is now classified as stage 2. The substantial difference in the outcome between women with high blood pressure and those without it highlights the need for more studies, doctors said. In fact, doctors said they don’t know what causes preeclampsia or how aspirin affects it. Preeclampsia affects about 3.4 percent of pregnancies in the United States and causes 10 percent to 15 percent of maternal deaths worldwide, according to estimates from the National Institutes of Health. “We are up against a problem we really don’t understand,” said Dr. Monique Chireau, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Duke University School of Medicine, who was not involved in the study. Chireau said the findings suggest there may be many pathways to preeclampsia and that aspirin may not work on all of them. Hauspurg cautioned that one study isn’t enough to stop giving aspirin to all women at risk of preeclampsia. “I don’t want to jump to conclusions,” she said. For now, Hauspurg said the study could help create more targeted trials. For example, statins and metformin are being tested as potential preeclampsia risk-reduction agents, although those drugs aren’t as safe as aspirin, she said. “Maybe we target new trials to populations that don’t benefit from aspirin.” If you have questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].
Overview Having low blood pressure during pregnancy is common. Most of the time, this condition won’t cause major problems, and blood pressure will return to prepregnancy levels after you give birth. In some cases, however, very low blood pressure can be dangerous for mom and baby. If you’re pregnant, your doctor or nurse will likely check your blood pressure at every prenatal visit. Blood pressure is the force of your blood as it pushes against artery walls while your heart pumps. It can go up or down at certain times of the day, and it may change if you’re feeling excited or nervous. Your blood pressure reading reveals important information about the health of you and your baby. It can also be a way for your doctor to determine if you have another condition that needs to be checked out, like preeclampsia. Changes that happen in your body during pregnancy can affect your blood pressure. When carrying a baby, your circulatory system expands quickly, which may cause a drop in blood pressure. It’s common for your blood pressure to lower in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. Other factors that can contribute to low blood pressure include:
Current guidelines define a normal blood pressure reading as less than 120 mm Hg systolic (the top number) over 80 mm Hg diastolic (the bottom number). Doctors typically determine you have low blood pressure if your reading is below 90/60 mm Hg. Some people have low blood pressure their whole lives and have no signs of it. Generally, low blood pressure during pregnancy isn’t a cause for concern unless you experience symptoms. Big drops may be the sign of a serious, or even life-threatening, problem. Extremely low blood pressure can lead to falls, organ damage, or shock. Low blood pressure may also be a sign of ectopic pregnancy, which happens when a fertilized egg implants outside of a woman’s uterus. A large amount of research has been conducted on how high blood pressure during pregnancy affects babies, but data on the effects of low blood pressure is limited. Some studies have suggested that low blood pressure during pregnancy may lead to problems, such as stillbirth and low birth weight. However, other research has shown additional risk factors are to blame for these outcomes. More research is needed to understand the impact of low prenatal blood pressure on the health of a baby. Signs and symptoms of low blood pressure may include:
Call your healthcare provider if you develop any symptoms of low blood pressure during pregnancy. Low blood pressure is diagnosed with a simple test. Your doctor or nurse will place an inflatable cuff around your arm and use a pressure-measuring gauge to calculate your blood pressure. This test can be performed in your doctor’s office, but you can also buy your own device and measure your blood pressure at home. If you have low blood pressure throughout your pregnancy, your doctor might order more tests to rule out other conditions. Generally, you won’t require treatment for low blood pressure during pregnancy. Doctors typically don’t recommend medications for pregnant women unless symptoms are serious or complications are likely. Your blood pressure will probably start to rise on its own during your third trimester. If you do experience symptoms of low blood pressure, such as dizziness, you might want to try the following:
It’s also a good idea to eat a healthy diet and take your prenatal supplements during your pregnancy to prevent symptoms of low blood pressure. Your blood pressure should return to your pre-pregnancy levels after you give birth. Medical professionals will check your blood pressure often in the hours and days after you deliver your baby. Also, your doctor will probably check your blood pressure at your postnatal office visits. Low blood pressure during pregnancy is normal. The condition usually isn’t something to be concerned about unless you have symptoms. If you do experience bothersome symptoms of low blood pressure, let your doctor know. For more pregnancy guidance and weekly tips tailored to your due date, sign up for our I’m Expecting newsletter. Last medically reviewed on June 17, 2019
How we vetted this article:Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Jun 17, 2019 Medically Reviewed By Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT What foods help lower blood pressure while pregnant?Potassium-rich foods should be a part of your hypertension management diet. Foods you should add include sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kidney beans, orange juice, bananas, peas, potatoes, dried fruits, melon and cantaloupe. Potassium is an important mineral during pregnancy.
Can drinking water lower blood pressure during pregnancy?This extra demand on her kidneys produces a greater need for water. Drinking water is necessary for normal cholesterol levels and blood pressure. A mother's blood pressure usually returns to normal after the baby is born and the placenta is delivered.
What is the ideal blood pressure for a pregnant woman?The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) state that a pregnant woman's blood pressure should also be within the healthy range of less than 120/80 mm Hg. If blood pressure readings are higher, a pregnant woman may have elevated or high blood pressure.
What should a pregnant woman with high blood pressure avoid?Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Both are known to raise blood pressure and to cause other complications during pregnancy. Salt is important during pregnancy and it's usually not necessary to limit salt intake, even for women with high blood pressure.
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How to naturally lower blood pressure during pregnancy
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