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High blood pressure during or after pregnancy may cause no symptoms and can sometimes quickly progress to pre-eclampsia with organ damage. Have raised readings assessed, follow check-ups and medication carefully, and seek immediate help for severely raised readings, severe headache, visual symptoms, upper abdominal pain, breathlessness or a seizure.
- High blood pressure and even severe pre-eclampsia may initially cause no noticeable symptoms.
- Persistent severe headache, flashing lights, blurred vision or temporarily reduced vision are warning signs.
- Attend every check-up and take blood pressure medicine at regular times; do not stop because one home reading is normal.
- Use a validated home monitor with a correctly sized cuff and record the date, time, both readings and symptoms.
- Call your local maternity team immediately for a systolic pressure of 160 or a diastolic pressure of 110 or higher. Do not wait for your next check-up.
- For urgent GP care outside office hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediate threat to life.
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