Vim & Vigor - Winter 2020 - GMC - 51

51

Watch
for These
Warnings

In the U.S., high blood pressure
happens in 1 of every 12 to
17 pregnancies among women
ages 20 to 44. Although high
blood pressure, also called
hypertension, is the main
symptom of preeclampsia,
there are other symptoms
that doctors look for:

A headache that
will not go away

Changes in vision, including
blurry vision, seeing spots or
having changes in eyesight

TOP LEFT PHOTO BY K. BOYER PHOTOGRAPHY; ILLUSTRATIONS BY GETTY IMAGES

Pain in the upper
stomach area

Nausea or vomiting

Swelling of the face or hands

Sudden weight gain

Trouble breathing
Source: Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention

ultrasounds and testing than would
be expected in an uncomplicated
pregnancy. Ideally, after 37 weeks
of gestation, treatment for preeclampsia would be delivery. If
there is a threat to either the baby's
health or the mother's life, delivery
is scheduled earlier.

A Clinic with
You in Mind

Northside Hospital is bridging
the gap between maternal and
cardiac care. Learn more about
the Maternal Heart Health Clinic
at northside.com/maternalheart.

RISKS LATER IN LIFE

The effects of preeclampsia do not
necessarily end after pregnancy.
Women who have had preeclampsia
during pregnancy have a higher
risk of developing blood pressure
problems, high cholesterol and
diabetes after delivery. They are also
at nearly double the risk of heart
disease or stroke for the next five
to 15 years, and women who have
had severe preeclampsia may have a
greater than sixfold risk.
After having preeclampsia in her
first pregnancy, Urban scheduled
an appointment with her doctor for
a records review and advice on any
future pregnancies. She was told
that she had a 25 percent chance of
it occurring again. After delivering her second child at Northside
Hospital, that's exactly what happened, and that's when she met
Dr. Padove and learned about the
Maternal Heart Health Clinic.
"Although I always exercised,
I am now more aware of
my cardiac health and
the potential of future
cardiovascular disease," Urban says.
"It's important for
all women, and
especially those
who have had preeclampsia, to have
annual physicals and
to be screened for
future cardiovascular issues."
Dr. Padove says,
"Women who have
had a preeclampsia
complication in a

first pregnancy are more at risk
of having it again, and it can occur
earlier in the next pregnancy.
However, you may not have it at
all in a subsequent pregnancy.
There is still so much unknown,
which is why it's important to
understand the symptoms and
talk to your doctor about anything
that feels off."

LOOKING OUT
FOR WOMEN

Women who have experienced
preeclampsia should embark on
a healthy lifestyle path and follow
preventive measures along with
continued screening for diabetes,
high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease.
"Northside's Maternal Heart
Health Clinic educates women
about their risk factors
and screens them
to detect the early
development of
cardiovascular
disease," says
Patricia Tyson,
director of cardiovascular services at
Northside Hospital.
"The clinic augments
Northside's ongoing commitment
of providing
expert and comprehensive care
for patients with
preeclampsia." *
VIM & VIGOR SUMMER 2020

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4/1/20 3:24 PM
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Vim & Vigor - Winter 2020 - GMC

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