Pregnancy hypertension symptoms

Written by Liu Wen Li
Obstetrics
Updated on September 15, 2024
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The symptoms of hypertension during pregnancy vary depending on the blood pressure level, individual tolerance, and other factors. Common symptoms include high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and generalized edema. Edema can vary in severity; it can start with bilateral ankle swelling, progress to the calves, thighs, and then become generalized throughout the body. Increased blood pressure can also lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea, and blurred vision. In more severe cases, pain in the upper abdomen and convulsions may occur.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
1min 6sec home-news-image

What should be done at the start of hypertension?

What to do at the onset of hypertension, specifically refers to mild early-stage hypertension. Mild early-stage hypertension can be managed through reasonable dietary adjustments and increased physical activity to lower blood pressure to normal levels. Generally, it is not necessary to use antihypertensive medications. Aerobic exercises such as swimming, skipping rope, square dancing, playing table tennis, volleyball, tennis, can increase vascular elasticity and improve blood circulation, thereby achieving a blood pressure-lowering effect. In terms of diet, it is important to focus on low-fat, low-salt, and low-oil intake to reduce the occurrence of arteriosclerosis and decrease blood viscosity, as well as sodium and water retention which can cause elevated blood pressure. Pay attention to rest, avoid overworking, and do not get overly excited. These are effective treatment and prevention methods for initial mild hypertension.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
1min 27sec home-news-image

The difference between hypertensive nephropathy and renal hypertension

Hypertensive nephropathy and hypertension due to kidney disease need to be differentiated, as this affects the treatment approach and prognosis assessment differently. Hypertensive nephropathy refers to patients with long-term high blood pressure, which causes arteriosclerosis of small vessels leading to renal pathology. Often, there is also arteriosclerosis in other organs, such as the retinal arteries, which can be confirmed through funduscopic examination. On the other hand, hypertension due to kidney disease occurs when a patient has kidney disease first followed by hypertension, where the causes and types of kidney diseases vary and can frequently lead to hypertension. The difference between the two lies in the sequence of occurrence. Hypertensive nephropathy is characterized by initial high blood pressure and commonly associated with arteriosclerosis in other vessels, which can be preliminarily identified through funduscopic examination. In cases of hypertension due to kidney disease, the patient has other kidney disorders first, followed by hypertension. If a patient's 24-hour urine protein quantification exceeds 2g, it is likely due to kidney disease rather than hypertensive nephropathy. If differentiation remains challenging, kidney biopsy can be performed for further differentiation.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Normal blood pressure, high blood pressure, and low blood pressure ranges.

Normal adult systolic blood pressure is between 90-139mmHg, and diastolic pressure is between 60-89mmHg. When the systolic pressure exceeds 140mmHg and the diastolic pressure exceeds 90mmHg, this condition is medically referred to as hypertension. When the systolic pressure is below 90mmHg and the diastolic pressure is below 60mmHg, this condition is medically referred to as hypotension. Regardless of whether it is hypertension or hypotension, it often causes symptoms in patients, such as headache, dizziness, and fatigue. Therefore, whether it is hypertension or hypotension, one should visit the hospital's department of cardiology for a formal examination. The doctor will assess the situation on-site to determine if treatment is necessary and how to administer it.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
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How is hypertensive nephropathy treated?

Long-term hypertension can lead to abnormal kidney structure and function, also known as hypertensive nephropathy. Once hypertensive nephropathy is diagnosed, comprehensive treatment measures are often adopted, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. In terms of non-pharmacological treatment, patients should maintain a low-salt diet in their daily life, focusing on a light diet, with a daily salt intake of about 4 grams. Regarding pharmacological treatment, the main goal is to control the patient's blood pressure and reduce urinary protein. Medications that can be used include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Any of these medications can be chosen and used long-term to control blood pressure, protect kidney function, and reduce urinary protein. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a physician, and self-medication should be avoided.)

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Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
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How to treat hypertensive encephalopathy

The treatment goal for hypertensive encephalopathy is mainly to rapidly reduce blood pressure to a reasonable range. Typically, intravenous antihypertensive drugs are administered to decrease blood pressure by 20%-25% within the first hour, followed by oral antihypertensives or continued intravenous treatment to further reduce it to a more reasonable level. Hypertensive encephalopathy often accompanies cerebral edema, and patients may experience increased intracranial pressure. At this point, it is necessary to administer dehydrating agents such as mannitol to treat the cerebral edema. If the patient experiences seizures, which can cause an increase in blood pressure or difficulty in reducing blood pressure, sedative anticonvulsant drugs must be administered to control the seizures. If the patient shows signs of heart failure, diuretic treatment should be initiated. Additionally, high concentration oxygen therapy under high pressure should be administered, which can be delivered through nasal cannula. If nasal oxygen therapy is ineffective, non-invasive ventilation or even intubation with invasive ventilation may be used to provide high concentration positive pressure oxygen therapy.