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Home blood pressure during normal pregnancy
Thierry Denolle1, Jean-Claude Daniel, Christian Calvez
1Dinard Hospital and Biotrial, 35800 Rennes, France. denolle.thierry@wanadoo.fr
American Journal of Hypertension
|September 27, 2005
Summary
Home blood pressure (HBP) monitoring during pregnancy reveals significant trimester-specific variations. Establishing upper limits for HBP can aid clinicians in pregnancy care.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Accurate home blood pressure (HBP) values during pregnancy are crucial for monitoring maternal health.
- Establishing normative HBP ranges across gestational periods is essential for early detection of hypertensive disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine gestational trimester-specific reference values for home blood pressure (HBP) in healthy pregnant women.
- To suggest upper limits for HBP to aid clinical interpretation during pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Nurses trained 45 healthy pregnant women in HBP monitoring techniques.
- HBP was recorded for one week during three distinct gestational periods: before 15 weeks, 15-27 weeks, and after 28 weeks.
Main Results:
- HBP values were significantly lower in the second trimester and higher in the last trimester.
- Suggested upper limits for HBP were 118/73 mm Hg (first period), 117/73 mm Hg (second period), and 121/80 mm Hg (third period).
- A significant increase in heart rate was observed throughout pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- The study provides gestational trimester-specific reference values for HBP in healthy pregnant women.
- These findings can assist clinicians in establishing reference values and managing blood pressure during pregnancy.
- Further research is needed to validate these proposed upper limits for HBP in diverse populations.