PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — High blood pressure or hypertension is one of the most common health conditions in the United States, and failure to control it can increase a person's risk of heart attack and stroke.
Hypertension can develop in a person at any age, but pregnancy is a time of increased risk for a woman. It is particularly important to make the diagnosis as soon as possible.
A baby born to a mother with uncontrolled high blood pressure is more likely to be pre-term and is at risk for low birth weight, while the mother can develop a condition called eclampsia, which puts her at risk.
Fortunately, a great deal can be done to control blood pressure and protect both mother and baby, but it has to be detected, which is a major reason why care is important during pregnancy.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
