3-1

MediFocus MedCenter ©

Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension
(GY015)

Introduction


The terms pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia are often used interchangeably, which may cause significant confusion. Pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia and eclampsia should actually be considered as a spectrum of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is defined as a rise in blood pressure above 140/90 on two or more occasions, at least 6 hours apart. It occurs in the second half of pregnancy (usually after 20 weeks of gestation) in a woman who previously had normal blood pressure. There are no other associated symptoms.

PIH in and of itself has no deleterious effect on pregnancy, and the blood pressure returns to normal levels by 6 weeks after delivery. However, new onset of hypertension in the late second or early third trimester is regarded potentially as an early sign of preeclampsia.

The important aspect of care in PIH is close monitoring of the blood pressure levels and the development of any other symptoms that may indicate the onset of preeclampsia. Medications to lower blood pressure in PIH are usually not required and are generally avoided due to risks of harm to the developing fetus by many anti-hypertensive preparations.

MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information


The Medifocus Guide on Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:


What Your Doctor Reads:


This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:


MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information


MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.

MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.

© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.


Return to the MedFocus Medical Center Main Directory