An obstetrician, Dr. Habiba Ismail, has raised concern over the increasing cases of high blood pressure (HBP) among pregnant women in Bauchi State.
She spoke in an interview with reporters on Wednesday in Bauchi.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, refers to a condition in which the force of blood pushing against artery walls remains consistently high. In pregnancy, hypertension is defined as a blood pressure reading between 140/90mmHg and 159/109mmHg, which may require regular monitoring but not always immediate treatment.
Severe hypertension in pregnancy is diagnosed when blood pressure reaches 160/110mmHg or higher, a condition that requires treatment until the readings drop below that threshold.
According to Ismail, the rising trend of hypertension in pregnancy often leads to eclampsia and other serious complications.
She noted that available statistics show the rate of pregnancy-related hypertension remains high, warranting further investigation and targeted interventions.
“Several studies have been conducted to ascertain the reason behind the rising cases of HBP among pregnant women in the state. Till date, we are yet to identify the root cause,” she said.
She added that cases are sometimes detected early in pregnancy, even among girls aged 18 and below.
Ismail noted that many pregnant women continue to experience high blood pressure and related complications despite following medical guidelines.
She urged husbands and caregivers to support pregnant women by ensuring they adhere to antenatal routines, take prescribed medications, and attend regular medical check-ups.
