Managing Hypertension During Pregnancy: The Role of Nutrition

Did you know that high blood pressure affects 1 in 12 to 17 pregnant women? In the United States, this condition has become increasingly common, with the number of pregnant women experiencing chronic hypertension nearly doubling between 2007 and 2021. Because hypertension in pregnancy has been increasing, it is important to know what it is and the important role that nutrition can play. 

Understanding Hypertension During Pregnancy: A Serious Concern

The Cleveland Clinic defines gestational hypertension (or high blood pressure during pregnancy) as blood pressure readings greater than or equal to 140/90 that typically begin after 20 weeks. For many women, gestational hypertension goes away after childbirth. Unfortunately, high blood pressure may not cause noticeable symptoms, so attending all of your prenatal appointments is crucial, as blood pressure monitoring is part of those visits. Untreated high blood pressure during pregnancy can affect how the placenta develops and functions, meaning your baby may not get all the nutrients it needs to grow at a standard rate. It can also raise the risk of complications before, during, and after labor. 

The Power of Nutrition: Dietary Strategies for Hypertension

A well-balanced diet is part of the foundation for a healthy pregnancy. Foods to include in your daily lineup are a wide variety of proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and healthy fats. Limiting added sugar and saturated fat (aka the “bad fat”) is always best. For those with hypertension during pregnancy, the same dietary strategies remain; however, three additional nutrients have been commonly studied in this patient population. Those are sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Should you restrict your intake or increase your intake? Well, let’s see what the research has to say! 

Sodium Reduction: A Crucial Step 

For most people with hypertension, reducing sodium intake is a common dietary recommendation. However, this approach may not apply to those with gestational hypertension, as sodium plays a vital role in a healthy pregnancy. A study involving 7,458 participants examined the relationship between sodium intake and hypertension during pregnancy. Among the participants, 31% consumed low sodium levels (less than 2 grams daily), 37% had medium intake (2–3 grams daily), and 31% reported high intake (over 3 grams daily). The findings showed no significant difference in the risk of developing hypertension across the groups, indicating that sodium intake was not directly linked to hypertension during pregnancy. While overconsuming sodium should still be avoided, focusing on a well-balanced diet with minimal processed foods remains essential.

Potassium-Rich Foods: Counteracting Sodium 

It may not be such a well-known fact, but potassium actually plays an important role in blood pressure regulation. Potassium helps balance sodium and offsets salt's negative effects on blood pressure. The daily recommended amount of potassium needed for a pregnant woman is around 2,900 milligrams per day at most, however, this could vary based on your age. Potassium can be found in foods like beans (pinto beans, lima beans, and kidney beans), potatoes, tomatoes, kiwis, cantaloupe, bananas, yogurt, milk, and some fish like tilapia. However, several other foods contain potassium. Read here for a more in-depth list of food sources of potassium.

Magnesium: A Vital Mineral for Blood Pressure Control 

Magnesium is a vital nutrient for many reasons. It is involved in more than 300 enzymes in all the organs in the body, and it plays a huge role in the normal function of our muscles. It also plays a role in the regulation of blood pressure. The recommended daily allowance for pregnant women is 350-400 milligrams, depending on your age. Magnesium, like potassium, can be found in many foods. However, some common foods that contain magnesium are pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, peanuts, whole wheat bread, and potatoes. 

As mentioned earlier, it is vital to attend your regular check-ups so your healthcare team can monitor your blood pressure. Before taking any supplements, please talk to your doctor to ensure they are appropriate for you and your baby. 

1. _{Bank, T. C., Grasch, J. L., Chung, J., Mercer, B. M., McNeil, R. B., Parry, S., Saade, G., Shanks, A., Silver, R. M., Simhan, H., Yee, L. M., Reddy, U., Grobman, W. A., & Frey, H. A. (2023). Sodium intake and the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. American journal of obstetrics & gynecology MFM, 5(11), 101166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101166} 
2. _{Current dietary guidelines. Food Sources of Potassium | Dietary Guidelines for Americans. (n.d.). https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/food-sources-potassium}
3. _{Eye on nutrition: Potassium. WIC Works Resource System. (n.d.). https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/resources/eye-nutrition-potassium} 
4. _{Gestational hypertension: Causes, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. (2024, May 1). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4497-gestational-hypertension}  
5. _{Rylander R. (2014). Magnesium in pregnancy blood pressure and pre-eclampsia - A review. Pregnancy hypertension, 4(2), 146–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preghy.2014.01.002} 
6. _{U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024, June 17). Chronic hypertension in pregnancy doubled in the U.S. from 2007-2021. National Institutes of Health. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/chronic-hypertension-pregnancy-doubled-us-2007-2021}   
7. _{U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2022, June 2). Office of dietary supplements - magnesium. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/} 
8. _{U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2024, April 30). Pregnancy and high blood pressure. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-pressure/pregnancy}