Tips to Control Blood Pressure during Pregnancy

While high blood pressure is a rather common problem amongst the population nowadays, it is also a much underestimated condition. Almost every one in three persons suffer from this condition in the United States of America alone. The fact that the condition will also frequently show no symptoms will cause a number of people to go through their daily routines without the faintest idea that they suffer from the condition. However, in spite of this, the condition can have disastrous consequences and is known to lead to severe conditions like damage of the heart, kidneys, blood vessels and other parts of the body. A person’s blood pressure is the force at which the blood pushes against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out the blood. When this happens with an excessively strong amount of force, the person is said to suffer from high blood pressure. While the condition is most often associated with adults, it is known to exist in children as well and is known to affect 3% of children in or just before their teenage years. However, this is most often caused by nothing other than simple heredity where the condition has been passed down to the individual by previous generations of sufferers within the same blood line, possibly coupled with an unhealthy lifestyle such as a bad diet, a lack of physical exercise or exertion, excess stress and obesity.

The condition will, more often than not, require a diagnosis from a licensed doctor as it is rather difficult for one to diagnose the problem on their own. Some of the most noticeable symptoms include unexplained fatigue, dizziness, ringing in the ears, a flushing of the face, frequent nosebleeds, heavy thumping of the chest and severe, frequent headaches. However, as already mentioned, there is likelihood that the condition will exude no symptoms at all. Some of the factors that may put one individual at a higher risk than another include excessive weight, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, pregnancy, insufficient physical activity and the indulgence of birth control pills.

To help naturally reduce the levels of blood pressure, you could try adding a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to half a cup of warm water and drink the mixture whenever your pressure starts to increase. Create a concoction by adding some fenugreek seeds to some water and drink this in the morning and evening for about 15 days. A regular application of a hot compress over your heart will also be quite beneficial.

answered by G M

To avoid any complications during your pregnancy, it is very important to keep your blood pressure in control. Consult your gynecologist for appropriate medications when required and also keep the following points in mind.

Completely avoid tobacco and alcohol.
Minimize salt intake in food and foods rich in sodium; instead include whole wheat and its products, lots of fresh fruits and dark green leafy vegetables in your diet.
Avoid canned/bottled foods, processed foods, junk foods, ketchups, pickles, smoked meat, salted sausages/pork, salted popcorn/chips/nuts and ready to eat foods.
Mild exercise like walking will also help to control your blood pressure.

answered by S P

I am 40, I have conceived for the 3rd time. I had BP during the end term of both my pregnancy. Right now my BP is 120/90. What are ways for me to control the BP as well as have my baby?