Are you pregnant or planning a pregnancy? Time to think about your blood pressure, even if you have never had high blood pressure. About half of complications in pregnancy, such as having a premature baby, are related to high blood pressure.

Complications in pregnancy also increase the risk of developing heart disease years later. But many complications in pregnancy can be prevented.

You can start your pregnancy with a healthy blood pressure of less than 120/80 mm Hg, but still develop a type of high blood pressure that occurs during or just after pregnancy. One is gestational hypertension, defined as blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher. It usually occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy or near delivery.

Here are six ways to help keep you and your baby safe from high blood pressure issues.

1.Talk to your healthcare provider

Even if you are not yet pregnant, knowing if you have high blood pressure can help determine if you are at increased risk of developing pregnancy-related complications. Work with your healthcare provider to make a plan for a healthy pregnancy. This includes talking about the following:

• Your family’s medical history. If other people in your family had preeclampsia, your healthcare provider may recommend that you take additional precautions.
• How other individual factors, such as your age, where you live, your race, or access to medical care, could affect your risk of developing pregnancy-related complications.
• What is your healthy blood pressure range.
• How to control or reduce high blood pressure by adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as being physically active, choosing healthy heart foods that are low in salt and sodium, and not smoking.
• Medications you are taking. If you are already taking blood pressure medications, ask if the type you take can be used when you are pregnant.

2.Monitor your blood pressure

Usually you cannot feel if you have high blood pressure. As part of your regular prenatal care, your healthcare provider will monitor your blood pressure at each visit. If she’s tall, you can suggest that she get a home monitor. If you need one, ask someone in your healthcare provider’s office to help you make sure it works properly and that you are using it correctly. Then keep track of your numbers.

3.Learn the signs of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia may not cause symptoms at first. However, you may notice some mild symptoms, such as:

• Swelling in the hands or face.
• Suddenly gain weight for one to two days.
• Up more than two pounds per week.
• Urinate less often than normal.

Preeclampsia generally occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy. It can also develop after delivery, most often within 48 hours. If you have any symptoms or think something is wrong, it is always best to call your healthcare provider. Go to the emergency department if you experience any of these severe preeclampsia symptoms:

• Headache that does not go away or gets worse
• Difficulty breathing
• Pain on the right side, below the ribs, or on the right shoulder
• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in vision

4.Get support from friends and family

Tell your family and friends about signs of complications in pregnancy. Ask them to help you monitor how you feel and help you get medical care. When talking to your healthcare provider, these friends can make sure you describe all of your symptoms and ask all of your questions, and they can advocate for you to get the care you need.

5.Try to control stress

Stress is not good for your blood pressure. Practice activating your body’s innate relaxation response (the opposite of the stress response). Guided visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing exercises are techniques that can help you relax.

Moving more can help calm your mind and body, and is important to the overall health of your heart. Try doing yoga or meet friends for a quick walk. Being in nature can also be very relaxing for some people.

6.Stay healthy after pregnancy

After your pregnancy, try to maintain your personal care routines, especially for your heart health. If you had Preeclampsia, you will need to be especially careful with your heart. One of the best things you can do is share the details about complications in pregnancy with your medical professionals. Tell them what happened and what treatment you received. You may need a cardiovascular exam three months after pregnancy and then annually. The test will measure your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar level, and weight.

Remember … you know your body. Identifying and modifying cardiovascular disease risks early can significantly reduce the risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke years later. Tell your healthcare provider if your blood pressure increases or if something seems wrong.