Connection between Preeclampsia and Elevated Blood Pressure
Pregnancy is a time of significant change for a woman's body, and sometimes, these changes can lead to unexpected health complications. One such complication is preeclampsia, a serious condition that can develop without the classic symptom of high blood pressure (hypertension).
Doctors diagnose preeclampsia if a pregnant person experiences hypertension of pregnancy and presents at least one of the following symptoms: protein in the urine, sudden weight gain, swelling of the face and hands, severe headaches, vision changes, upper abdominal pain, or decreased urine output.
Preeclampsia can develop due to several factors, such as placental development issues, endothelial dysfunction, and underlying conditions like autoimmune diseases or kidney disorders. This atypical presentation, sometimes called "preeclampsia without hypertension," is less common and harder to detect because the classic symptom of high blood pressure is absent.
Underlying conditions, like autoimmune diseases, chronic kidney disorders, and metabolic syndromes, increase susceptibility to preeclampsia manifestations such as proteinuria without elevated blood pressure. Genetic predisposition and endothelial dysfunction also play roles.
Placental development issues can cause placental ischemia and hypoxia, triggering the release of anti-angiogenic and inflammatory factors that damage the mother's endothelium. This vascular dysfunction can produce proteinuria and other symptoms even in the absence of hypertension.
Endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress contribute to vascular damage, leading to protein leakage (proteinuria). Nitric oxide, which normally protects blood vessels and supports placental blood flow, can be degraded under stress, contributing to preeclampsia features except hypertension.
Obesity, advanced maternal age, multiple pregnancies, first pregnancy, diabetes, and family history also influence the risk of developing preeclampsia without hypertension. Obesity contributes to insulin resistance and impaired placental artery remodeling, increasing inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.
Even if preeclampsia develops without hypertension, it may predispose mothers to chronic hypertension and cardiovascular disease later in life, warranting ongoing monitoring after pregnancy.
If a pregnant person experiences any symptoms of preeclampsia, they should contact a doctor as soon as possible. Preeclampsia can increase the risk of serious health complications both for the pregnant person and their baby. In severe cases, a pregnant person may need hospitalization for close monitoring and treatment.
Researchers are investigating other factors that may contribute to the development and progression of preeclampsia, including genetic factors, nutritional factors, autoimmune disorders, having a compromised immune system, exposure to environmental factors, hormonal imbalances, cardiovascular and inflammatory changes during pregnancy.
Babies born from people who have had preeclampsia may have a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease, hypertension, and other chronic illnesses during their adult life.
Doctors do not currently know the exact cause of preeclampsia, but they think that its onset has a link to the health of the placenta, such as insufficient blood flow. Preeclampsia can occur in pregnancies at any age, but being pregnant at an older age may increase the risk.
Signs and symptoms of preeclampsia may include nausea and vomiting, headache that does not go away, pain in the upper abdomen, swelling of the face, hands, or feet, difficulties breathing, sudden weight gain, vision changes such as blurred vision, eyesight changes, and light sensitivity. A pregnant person may also have a low blood platelet count or elevated liver enzymes, suggesting impaired liver function.
This article explains if people can have preeclampsia without hypertension, its causes, its symptoms, how doctors treat this condition, and what steps people can take to prevent it from occurring. It is essential for pregnant people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of preeclampsia and to seek medical advice if they suspect they may be experiencing this condition.
