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February 9, 2012
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Preeclampsia

Medical Author:
Andrea Witlin, DO, PhD
Medical Editor:
Bryan D Cowan, MD
Medical Editor:
Mary L Windle, PharmD
Medical Editor:
Lee P Shulman, MD

Preeclampsia Overview

Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy associated with the development of high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Women diagnosed with preeclampsia may also complain of blurred vision, headaches, extreme swelling, and experience greater than normal weight gain. Toxemia is a common name used to describe preeclampsia.

  • Approximately 5-7% of all pregnancies are complicated by preeclampsia.
  • Preeclampsia usually occurs in a woman's first pregnancy but may occur for the first time in a subsequent pregnancy.
  • Less than one in 100 women with preeclampsia will develop eclampsia or convulsions (seizures).
  • Up to 20% of all pregnancies are complicated by high blood pressure. Complications resulting from high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and eclampsia may account for up to 20% of all deaths that occur in pregnant women.
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Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy »

Topic Overview

What are high blood pressure and preeclampsia?

Blood pressure is a measure of how hard your blood pushes against the walls of your arteries. If the force is too hard, you have high blood pressure (also called hypertension). When high blood pressure starts after 20 weeks of pregnancy, it may be a sign of a very serious problem called preeclampsia.

Blood pressure is shown as two numbers. The top number (systolic) is the pressure when the heart pumps blood. The bottom number (diastolic) is the pressure when the heart relaxes and fills with blood. Blood pressure is high if the top number is more than 140 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), or if the bottom number is more than 90 mm Hg. For example, blood pressure of 150/85 (say "150 over 85") or 140/95 is high. Or both numbers can be high, such as 150/95.

A woman may have high blood pressure before she gets pregnant. Or her blood pressure may start to go up during pregnancy.

If you have hig...

Read the Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy article »


Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Preeclampsia »

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific syndrome characterized by new-onset hypertension and proteinuria, occurring usually after 20 weeks' gestation.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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