This Labor Day, Expectant Mothers Need To "Work" To Keep Their Blood Pressure In Check
American Heart Association Recommends Use of Home Blood Pressure Monitor to Keep Tabs on a Common Condition
Bannockburn, Ill. (August 24, 2009) - More newborns arrive during the late summer and early fall months than any other time of year(1), suggesting a whole new meaning for the "Labor" Day holiday. Yet in the thick of pregnancy season, many women are unaware of their risk for developing high blood pressure, the most common medical problem encountered by those expecting and the leading cause of death for both mothers and babies(2).
Risks of High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
About eight percent of women have problems with high blood pressure during pregnancy; the majority occurring in those getting ready to deliver their first child(3). There are several types of high blood pressure that affect pregnant women. Some, like chronic hypertension, start before pregnancy; others such as gestational hypertension develop during pregnancy. All types can pose risks to the pregnant woman and her baby, from harming the mother's kidneys, liver and brain to causing low birth weight, premature delivery and stillbirth.
In the most serious cases, the mother develops preeclampsia, a condition that affects all organs of the body and is characterized by increased blood pressure and protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious - even fatal - complications for both mother and baby. The rate of preeclampsia has increased over the past decade by nearly one-third, due partly to a rise in numbers of older mothers and multiple births, where preeclampsia is more likely to develop. Despite these facts, according to a survey of expectant mothers by the Preeclampsia Foundation, more than half were not informed about the signs and symptoms of this life-threatening condition(4).
Blood Pressure Monitoring Vital For Early Detection
There is no proven way to prevent pregnancy-induced hypertension and no test to predict it. However, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), "the accurate measurement of blood pressure during pregnancy is one of the most important aspects of prenatal care.(5)" Further, a recent study conducted at the University Medical Centre in The Netherlands and published in the British medical journal The Lancet underscored the importance of frequent blood pressure monitoring during pregnancy as a means to potentially prevent the risk of severe hypertension(6).
As a result, it's recommended that blood pressure be monitored frequently throughout pregnancy, including outside of the doctor's office by the expectant mother at home. The AHA notes home blood pressure monitoring as an ideal way to monitor for changes in blood pressure during pregnancy because it allows for multiple readings recorded at the same time of day over prolonged periods of time(7).
"During pregnancy, frequent and accurate blood pressure monitoring is critical to detect abnormal blood pressure changes," says Lauren Streicher, M.D., Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University's medical school, The Feinberg School of Medicine. "Using a home blood pressure monitor is an easy and affordable way for expectant mothers to keep tabs on her readings so she can work hand-in-hand with her physician to best manage her health and help prevent these issues from occurring."
The AHA recommends purchasing a home blood pressure monitor that is clinically validated for accuracy(8). For expectant mothers, Omron Healthcare offers the HEM-780, an at-home blood pressure monitor clinically validated for use in pregnancy. The HEM-780 offers easy one-touch operation and includes a Comfit Cuff™, an expandable, easy-to-fit upper arm cuff that ensures a quick, accurate and comfortable reading. And at a price point of about $100, it costs less than many items on her baby registry.
Omron Healthcare home blood pressure monitors range in price and features and are available at major pharmacy stores and online retailers nationwide. To learn more about the complete line of Omron home blood pressure monitors, visit www.omronhealthcare.com or www.omronwebstore.com.
(1) U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National Vital Statistics Report. Volume 57, Number 7. January 7, 2009.
(2) James, Rachael. Management of Hypertension Before, During, and After Pregnancy. Heart 2004; volume 90: pages 1499-1504.
(3) Roberts, J.M., et al. Summary of the NHLBI Working Group on Research on Hypertension during Pregnancy. Hypertension, volume 41, March 2003, pages 437-445
(4) Preeclampsia Foundation Survey, May 8, 2008
(5) American Heart Association. Call to Action on Use and Reimbursement for Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
(6) The Lancet, August 2009
(7) American Heart Association. Call to Action on Use and Reimbursement for Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
(8) American Heart Association. What kind of monitor should I use?
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About Omron Healthcare, Inc.
Omron Healthcare, Inc., located in Bannockburn, IL, is the North and South American sales and marketing office of Omron Healthcare Group, a leading manufacturer and distributor of blood pressure monitors for home use. With more than 80 million monitors sold worldwide to date, Omron Healthcare Group was the first to introduce manual and digital blood pressure monitors into the home healthcare market. Omron Healthcare offers innovative products and medical devices for use in sites ranging from hospitals to the home in the blood pressure monitoring, fitness diagnostics, thermometry, and respiratory categories. Omron Healthcare markets clinically proven products that provide accurate health information to consumers and physicians and support positive lifestyle changes and health improvement. For more information, visit www.omronhealthcare.com.