"Gestational hypertension" is a term often heard, which is short for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Gestational hypertension poses many risks, not only to the mother's health but also to the health of the fetus.
The primary pathophysiological change in gestational hypertension is systemic small vessel spasms, which can affect multiple organs in the body, particularly the heart, brain, liver, and kidneys. The harm of gestational hypertension to pregnant women is mainly manifested in the following ways:
First, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular damage. Cerebral vascular spasms affect the blood supply to brain tissue, easily causing cerebral ischemia and edema, which can severely impact brain function, leading to dulled sensations and confused thinking; cardiovascular spasms can easily cause discomfort in the precordial region and symptoms of angina.
Second, damage to kidney function. Glomerular expansion, endothelial cell swelling, and fibrin deposition in endothelial cells lead to plasma proteins leaking from the glomeruli, forming proteinuria. Levels of uric acid and creatinine in the blood also rise. Gestational hypertension can lead to eclampsia, and the level of urinary protein in patients directly reflects the severity of the condition.
Third, liver damage. Gestational hypertension can lead to preeclampsia, causing abnormal liver function in pregnant women, manifested as elevated levels of various transaminases and plasma alkaline phosphatase. Additionally, severe gestational hypertension can lead to a state of coagulation in the body, with abnormal coagulation factors and platelet function, causing DIC, which severely threatens life and health.
The harm of gestational hypertension to the fetus is also alarming: Hypertension can cause spasms in the spiral arteries of the uterus, affecting the blood flow of the umbilical artery. Coupled with vascular endothelial damage and acute atherosis of placental vessels, placental function declines. Due to ischemia and hypoxia in the uterus, it can cause fetal growth retardation and even fetal distress in the uterus. If placental vessels rupture, it can lead to placental abruption, easily resulting in intrauterine fetal death.
