Men and women who suffer from high blood pressure have a serious problem on their hands that should not be taken lightly. It is especially critical for women to prevent or control their high blood pressure, also known medically as hypertension, since the effects can be fatal. Studies show that out of four women, three know they have high blood pressure. Ironically, one of the three may take measures to control it.

Although many women who have blood pressure problems have healthy babies, high blood pressure pregnancy poses a serious risk. Pregnant women who have uncontrolled hypertension may have critical issues develop during the pregnancy that may affect the mother and fetus. These problems may be prevented or lessened by discussing them with the doctor before pregnancy. If the high blood pressure of the mother is chronic, steps can be taken to help lessen the complications that may develop during the pregnancy. Pregnant or not, the important first step is to get the blood pressure under control.

As the complications of gestational hypertension begin to increase, the mother may develop preeclampsia which then damages the mothers kidneys causing protein to show-up in her urine. Toxemia of pregnancy (preeclampsia) develops after the 20th week and affects the mother's liver, brain, kidney, and placenta. The result of this complication is premature birth, low birth weight and the possibility of the baby being stillborn at birth.

The second leading cause of death in the United States for pregnant women are the seizures as a result of preeclampsia developing into eclampsia (seizures). The only known way to cure eclampsia is to deliver the baby. Hypertension is the problem and unless it is controlled, it may evolve into preeclampsia, then eclampsia or seizures which may prove to be fatal to the mother and fetus.

The following women may be at risk of developing preeclampsia: women previously diagnosed with hypertension, developed preeclampsia during the early stages of a previous pregnancy, are obese, under age 20 and over age 40 when pregnant, expecting more than one baby, has been diagnosed with kidney disease, scleroderma, lupus, diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.

Since preeclampsia is difficult to detect, knowing the history of the patient is critical to identifying the problems that may develop. Since there are no tests to actually confirm preeclampsia, the doctor must rely on past history, signs which might indicate the presence of the condition and a variety of tests that might indicate the presence of toxemia of pregnancy. The difficulty is many of these "signs" can also be result of other health issues or diseases or be a part of a healthy pregnancy. This underscores the importance of working with the physician from the beginning of the pregnancy. They will keep track of the mother's blood pressure, take tests and look for protein in the urine. Some other symptoms may be: pain in the abdomen, persistent headaches, being sensitive to light, and having blurred vision.

Women who have high blood pressure and want to become pregnant can reduce or lessen the complications associated with high risk pregnancy by making lifestyle changes such as:

1. Lowering sodium/salt intake and eating healthier foods, adding physical activity to help lose weight and learning skills and techniques to help manage stress.

2. Have a heart-to-heart talk with your doctor to find out how your hypertension may affect you and your baby and what you must do to protect yourself - then do it!

3. Taking any kind of drugs during a pregnancy may be risky so talk with the doctor to find out if there needs to be changes in medication and dosage if drugs to lower blood pressure are involved.

4. Any changes in prescription medications which lower blood pressure should always be made by the attending physician and NEVER by the patient and that includes stopping or reducing the dosage.

5. Even over-the-counter medicines can have serious consequences during a high risk pregnancy. Talk to the physician about any and all over-the-counter medicines beforehand.

It is important to the mother and developing fetus to have frequent prenatal care especially if the mother has been previously diagnosed with high blood pressure. With this diagnosis comes serious risks and complications which makes it critically important to make healthy choices during the pregnancy. For instance, her physician may suggest changes in diet and physical activity, they may suggest practicing techniques that lower stress and, in turn, lower blood pressure. These "suggestions" by the physician have the ability to lower the risks to the mother and fetus during this high-risk, high blood pressure pregnancy.

If a health situation can be taken care of before or during a pregnancy, it should be since it may cause serious problems later.