From the Guidelines
Normal blood pressure for a pregnant woman is typically below 126/76 mmHg for a 24-hour average, 132/79 mmHg for awake average, and 114/66 mmHg for sleep average, as defined by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) before 22 weeks of gestation 1.
Key Considerations
- Blood pressure should be monitored regularly throughout pregnancy, as readings of 140/90 mmHg or higher indicate gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, which require medical attention.
- The first trimester blood pressure is often used to define normal or high blood pressure, as many women may not have had their blood pressure measured before becoming pregnant.
- Home blood pressure monitoring or 24-hour ABPM is recommended to confirm a diagnosis of hypertension, as up to 1 in 4 patients with elevated clinic or office blood pressure may have white-coat hypertension 1.
Importance of Monitoring
- Regular blood pressure checks are crucial during pregnancy, as significant increases in blood pressure can indicate complications such as gestational hypertension or preeclampsia.
- Women should attend all prenatal appointments and report any symptoms like severe headaches, vision changes, or sudden swelling to their healthcare provider immediately.
Lifestyle Recommendations
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition, regular exercise, adequate rest, and stress management can help maintain normal blood pressure during pregnancy.
- It is essential to note that blood pressure may fluctuate slightly during pregnancy, and readings should be taken in a consistent and accurate manner, using a validated device 1.
From the Research
Normal Blood Pressure Range for Pregnant Women
The normal blood pressure range for pregnant women is not explicitly defined in the provided studies. However, the following information can be gathered:
- Hypertension in pregnancy is defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg 2.
- Blood pressure categories, as defined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines, include:
- Normal: < 120/< 80 mmHg
- Elevated: systolic 120-129 mm Hg and diastolic < 80 mm Hg
- Stage 1 hypertension: systolic 130-139 mm Hg or diastolic 80-89 mm Hg 3
- A blood pressure range of 120-139/80-89 mmHg before 20 weeks of gestation may be associated with an increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy 4.
Blood Pressure Thresholds for Treatment
The following blood pressure thresholds for treatment are mentioned in the studies:
- ≥ 150/95 mmHg: initiation of drug treatment is recommended in pregnant women with persistent elevation of blood pressure 5.
- ≥ 140/90 mmHg: treatment is recommended in women with gestational hypertension (with or without proteinuria), pre-existing hypertension with the superimposition of gestational hypertension, and hypertension with subclinical organ damage or symptoms at any time during pregnancy 5.
- ≥ 160/110 mmHg: considered severe hypertension in pregnancy 2, 6.