What can my wife do to lower her blood pressure?

Question

It's been high for a week now and she is 5 month pregnant. The doctor just game her some blood pressure pills to take. But is there anything else we can do to keep it down? It's 140 over 105 *Cringes*

It's been high for a week now and she is 5 month pregnant. The doctor just game her some blood pressure pills to take. But is there anything else we can do to keep it down? It's 140 over 105 *Cringes*

*Update* We just got back from the doctors office they almost admited her today. She goes to a special doctor tomorrow at 10 am however I'm worried about her now...

Oh and she hates salt.

Answer 1

Sounds like preeclampsia, and an early case, at that.

Visit www.preeclampsia.org. They were great to me, through both of my pregnancies. (I had it twice.) The bulletin boards are particularly helpful.

All the advice about exercise and avoiding salt and stress and all that may work for women who just have regular high blood pressure, but it will not take care of preeclampsia.

It's a good thing that she's seeing a special doctor. I'm assuming a perinatologist for the baby, and maybe a hematologist for your wife?

Anyway, surf on over to preeclampsia.org and let them tell you what's what. You'll get way better answers from that group than the generalists on Yahoo! Answers.

Answer 2

Liquid calcium and magnesium supplement. I have chronic high blood pressure, and I have had two perfectly normal pregnancies using this supplement. It's a company called Floradix that makes it. You can order it off Vitacost, it's cheapest there. It's pricey, but well worth it. Have your wife continue taking it for 3 months postpartum as well. It will ensure that as her body changes and starts a new round of hormones, her BP won't flare up again. It's safe to use when breastfeeding as well. It's just fruit juice and elemental (easily assimilated) magnesium and calcium.

My perinatologist never told me to limit salt, just not to go overboard with it. I ate a pretty normal diet, and managed to keep my BP within the 117-120 over 70-80 range all my pregnancy except when I was in labor. I think it got up to 150/90 once, but it normalized once I delivered. The oatmeal is a great suggestion too. Very good for BP and the heart. I am pregnant again. Don't be scared. She will be okay. Babies are incredibly resilient. I had two big babies, even one post term and no complications even with chronic high blood pressure. Just pray, and keep her eating good food (fruits and vegetables, lean meat, whole grain, eggs, and some dairy) and ask her perinatologist about an Omega-3 supplement too...and please get the Floradix for her. It makes a world of difference.

Good luck

Answer 3

Relaxation can help lower blood pressure, but it is only a temporary fix becasue as soon as she begins to move around again her bp will go right back up.
Healthy diest and slight exercise is the best way to lower the bp. First knock out any salty foods and junk foods, and start eating a ton of raw fruits and vegetables. This will help your wife's various systems to re-regulate and equal out in her body, it will also be healthy for your baby. Also cut out any sugary drinks or sodas, just water water water. (and not too much water, anywhere between 32 to 40oz a day) Another thing you can add is a big bowel of oatmeal twice a day, usually this helps to lower bp and other harmful toxins in the body that are just absorbed naturally through what we drinks and the air we breath. Stay away from garlic, it can be positive, but it can also cause a great deal of heart burn which she does not need. If she does eat garlic, eat it in small amounts.
I say slight exercise becasue if she over does it, it can cause more harm then help. Go for a walk with her for at least fifteen minutes every day. If you can, try to have her walk twice a day for fifteen minutes. No running or jogging, just a nice slow walk.
Her bp should begin to lower itself in a steady healthy manner if she does this.
Lastly. If she is on her feet for extended periods of time, make sure she gets off her feet and relaxes, laying flat on her back or on one of her sides if it is more comfortable. This too can have a slight effect.

Answer 4

Keep her relaxed. Stress can cause blood pressure to spike. Cutting back on salty foods will also help reduce her bp.

But 140/105 is really high. Has she been checked for pre-eclampsia? The earlier it's detected, the better it is for mom and baby.

Answer 5

Does your wife exercise regularly? I teach Jazzercise and I exercised (and taught) right up until a week before my son was born. Exercise is a great way to help your body with all sorts of things. However, if your wife has NOT been exercising, they don't recommend starting an exercise routine during pregnancy usually. Have her talk to her doctor about ways to help besides the meds. Watching the foods you eat is also important.

There are lots of good web sites for health issues related to pregnancy. You can just do a search for "pregnancy health" and you will find plenty.

Answer 6

Definitely exercise. Walking is probably the easiest, although she might also enjoy swimming if you have an indoor pool near you. She should do short exercises several times a day, such as a walk around the block every couple of hours. If she is working, she should let her boss know that she needs frequent breaks to get body moving and to relax. You sound like a good husband so I know you'll do these things with her as much as possible to keep her company. Congratulations on your baby to be!!

Answer 7

try having your wife nap at least once a day if possible, laying on her left side. Also make sure she cuts out all caffine. this includes pop, coffee, caffinated tea and chocolate. Try not to do any intense physical stuff. Taking a slow nice walk after dinner is good for blood pressure as well.
Hope these things help :)

Answer 8

It seems YOUR WORRYING is adding to her high blood pressure! Simmer down man...

You should take romantic walks, incorporating deep yoga breaths...this will strengthen the heart. that is the problem...the blood is not flowing properly through the body causing the heart to work harder...her problem may not b salt but cholesterol....figs, dates,& oatmeal are excellent foods to eat while pregnant. They clear the cholesterol out of the body.

Answer 9

when I was carring my son had same problem . I was given pills but did not take due to fear of damage to baby , what I did do was eat alot of regular oatmeal made with just water and no salt or sugar, I took a bit to get used to but it had a great affect on my b/p, and still to this day I eat oatmeal every day, much of the trouble comes from being pregnant and you are transmitting you vibes of fear to her which , makes her worry stop'' worring , and she will relax, and her b/p will level itself to normal , go for a half hour walk weather permitting . It not only helps with b/p but also helps for time of delivery. much luck with the new addition to your family.

Answer 10

The bp med should take care of that with no problem. Avoid sodium and stress. Exercise (if permitted by doctor) like walking or swimming is great for moms-to-be and lowers bp.