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Hypertension and High Calcium During Pregnancy

Jun 17, 2011 | By Rachel Morgan
Hypertension and High Calcium During Pregnancy
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Approximately one out of every 20 pregnant women develops preeclampsia, a condition marked by high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. It's also the primary cause of maternal mortality in the world. The risks -- for both you and your baby -- are substantial when you have hypertension during pregnancy. Some research findings suggest that taking extra calcium might help lower your risk, but the evidence is mixed. Always talk with your physician before taking any supplement.

Gestational Hypertension

Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia are not interchangeable terms, although they are related. Gestational hypertension refers to developing high blood pressure but not proteinuria after the 20-week pregnancy mark. You eventually might develop excess protein in the urine, resulting in preeclampsia. Many factors can increase your risk for developing preeclampsia, including obesity, diabetes, migraine history, kidney problems and being pregnant for the first time. Being a teen or over the age of 40 also raise your chances. Vision problems, excessive weight gain, swelling, dizziness and headaches are some signs to be watchful of.

Calcium Link

Much focus has gone into the possible connection between calcium and blood pressure as well, particularly in regards to pregnant women. Low calcium levels might play a role in developing hypertension. A review published in 2002 in the "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews" found that taking calcium supplements of at least 1,000 mg during pregnancy was associated with a slight reduction in blood pressure and preeclampsia risk. The researchers completed another review on the subject, released in August 2010 in the same publication, and again found that calcium supplementation was associated with lower preeclampsia incidence and also reduced premature birth risk.

Calcium Intake

In both reviews, the calcium supplementation was found to be most effective in pregnant women who were at high risk for hypertension or had low calcium levels. This suggests that high amounts of calcium might not be beneficial for all pregnant women but rather meeting the recommended daily allowance should be the goal. More research is needed to evaluate the safety and benefit of high calcium levels in at-risk women. Pregnant women between the ages of 19 and 50 should get 1,000 mg of calcium a day, according to the Institute of Medicine's recommendations. Teens between 14 and 18 need 1,300 mg daily. Your body isn't able to absorb more than 500 mg of calcium at a time, so the daily allowance should be taken in divided doses.

Treatment

Getting proper medical treatment is vital if you develop gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. Limiting the effects of high blood pressure on the body is the priority until you can deliver. Other than recommending bed rest, your physician can prescribe medications to lower blood pressure and support organ function. Premature delivery might be unavoidable in severe cases as it is the only way to end the preeclampsia. Cesarean delivery is a possibility, particularly if you're giving birth early or if natural labor is too risky for you and your baby.

References

Article reviewed by Shawn Candela Last updated on: Jun 17, 2011

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