The Impact of Hypertension during Pregnancy on Latina Women
Introduction
Losing a child is one of the most devastating experiences any parent can face. For Mónica Cantú, the journey through pregnancy was fraught with challenges that ultimately resulted in the loss of her son, Roman. However, her story sheds light on a broader issue affecting Latina women – the alarming rise in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and the long-term impact it can have on their health.
The Heartbreaking Experience of Mónica Cantú
Mónica Cantú and her husband eagerly awaited the arrival of their twins, a boy, and a girl. However, their joy turned into fear and sorrow when complications arose during Mónica’s pregnancy. At just 25 weeks, she was faced with an emergency delivery, and her son, Roman, tragically passed away only two days later. The diagnosis of preeclampsia, a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure during pregnancy, shed light on the underlying health risks faced by Latina women.
The Alarming Rise of HDP in Latina Women
Statistics reveal a troubling trend – hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, have more than doubled in the US, with Latina women experiencing the steepest increase. Furthermore, new data links the high blood pressure experienced during pregnancy to heart irregularities in older Hispanic women, highlighting the long-term consequences of HDP.
Understanding the Heart Health Risks for Latina Women
A study analyzing the hearts of Hispanic/Latina women with a history of HDP revealed significant changes in heart structure and function, indicating a higher risk of cardiovascular events later in life, such as heart failure and even death. This underscores the need for increased awareness and proactive measures to mitigate the health risks faced by Latina women.
Challenges Faced in Managing Hypertension among Latinos
Various factors contribute to the poor control of hypertension among Latinos, including limited access to healthcare services, language barriers, and cultural influences. The disparity in hypertension awareness and treatment underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the unique challenges faced by this community.
Prevention and Management Strategies for Latina Women
Empowering Latina women with knowledge and strategies to manage and mitigate the risks of HDP is crucial. Adopting a heart-healthy diet, prioritizing regular exercise, monitoring blood pressure, and seeking regular medical care are essential steps in reducing the risk of developing hypertension during pregnancy and addressing long-term heart health concerns.
Unique Insights and Practical Steps for Latina Women
Despite the challenges she faced, Mónica Cantú’s determination to educate herself and advocate for her health led to a successful second pregnancy. Her story serves as an inspiration and underscores the importance of proactive healthcare and self-advocacy. To navigate the complexities of HDP, Latina women must arm themselves with knowledge, ask questions, and seek evidence-based care.
Summary
High blood pressure during pregnancy, especially among Latina women, presents significant health risks that extend beyond the prenatal period. The rise of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and their impact on long-term heart health calls for targeted interventions and proactive measures. By empowering Latina women with knowledge and resources, and fostering a healthcare environment that prioritizes their unique needs, we can work towards mitigating the risks and ensuring better health outcomes for mothers and their children.
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Mónica Cantú and her husband were very happy to learn that they were expecting twins, a boy and a girl.
The couple was eager to meet their babies. At a doctor's appointment, Cantú learned that his baby was small. At 23 weeks, doctors noticed something was wrong with the baby's umbilical cord. Blood was not flowing properly through the cord.
Doctors warned Cantú to expect the worst. But she had hopes of having two healthy babies.
A couple of weeks later, Cantú felt a strange tingling and numbness in his face. She and her husband rushed to the hospital. Tests showed that her liver enzymes were elevated. Cantú's blood pressure was high at first, but a second reading was normal, she says.
When she didn't improve after 2 days, doctors prepared Cantú for an emergency delivery. She was only 25 weeks old.
“Panic took over,” says Cantú, who lives in Katy, Texas. “I thought, 'These babies can't be born right now!' “My son was estimated to weigh only 12 ounces.”
Cantú's daughter, Amelia, was born strong and screaming, he remembers. But baby Roman came into the world quietly. He clung to life but died 2 days later.
The tests carried out during the ordeal revealed Cantú's diagnosis: serious preeclampsia. High blood pressure is a defining feature of this pregnancy complication. Elevated liver enzyme levels and other signs of organ damage are also symptoms.
“Losing my son was devastating,” Cantú says. “I was left with so many questions. He carried so much guilt, as if my body had failed me.”
High blood pressure during pregnancy It is a growing problem for expectant mothers throughout the United States and especially for Latinas.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), including preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, more than doubled between 2007 and 2019 in the US, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Rates increased for all women, but Latina/Hispanic women experienced the steepest increase, with more than 60 cases per 1,000 live births.
Even more worrying is that new data links heart irregularities in older Hispanic women to the high blood pressure they suffered years earlier during pregnancy.
“There are significant changes in heart structure and function in Latina women who had high blood pressure during pregnancy, which means their hearts have abnormalities,” says Odayme Quesada, MD, medical director of Christ Hospital Women's Heart Center in Cincinnati and lead author of the study. studypublished in Hypertension.
The findings are important because such differences can predict cardiovascular events later in life, such as heart failure and even death, Quesada explains.
For the study, researchers analyzed the hearts of 5,168 Hispanic/Latina women with previous pregnancies whose average age was about 60 years old. The results revealed that anterior HDP was related to changes in the way the heart contracts and relaxes, increased heart wall thickness, and higher rates of abnormal geometry in the left ventricle of the heart.
The study helps answer why women with hypertension during pregnancy often develop heart problems later in life, Quesada says. Up to 20% of women with HDP will develop high blood pressure 6 months after giving birth, and their lifetime risk of chronic hypertension increases tenfold, studies show.
“Before our study, the question was: Do abnormalities in the structure and function of the heart develop because of HDP itself or because many of the women who have HDP develop chronic high blood pressure?” she says. “Our study helps fill in the gaps.”
During her pregnancy, Cantú's blood pressure was sometimes high at prenatal visits, but then dropped.
The fluctuation was explained as “white coat syndrome,” he says. The term refers to anxiety or nervousness around doctor visits that can cause an increase in blood pressure. Other symptoms he reported to doctors, such as extreme itching and headaches, were dismissed as typical signs of pregnancy.
At that time, Cantú says he didn't know much about preeclampsia. She had heard the term before but didn't know how serious it is. None of her family members had experienced the complication.
Lack of awareness may be one reason why HDP is increasing more rapidly among Latina women. Studies show Hispanic adults in the US have the lowest rates of hypertension awareness and treatment compared to white, black, and Asian adults.
Latinos are also less likely to have their hypertension under control, says Adriana Maldonado, PhD, assistant professor at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman School of Public Health at the University of Arizona.
The reasons behind poor hypertension control are complex, says Maldonado, lead author of a recent study on the management of hypertension among Latinos. Some of the major obstacles include lack of time to make lifestyle modifications, health insurance and financial limitations, and language barriers when interacting with healthcare providers. Limited access to health care services, culturally rich diets, and reluctance to seek preventive care are also factors.
Social determinants of health largely explain the disparities, Maldonado says. “That is, the documented low rates of uncontrolled hypertension among Latinos are the result of the intersection of environmental, social, economic, and interpersonal factors.”
Reducing the risk of developing hypertension during pregnancy and taking steps to control blood pressure after pregnancy is key, Maldonado and Quesada say. Prevention tips include:
Adopt a heart-healthy diet. A heart-friendly eating style can lower your risk of hypertension, Maldonado says. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan is one option. DASH foods are rich in calcium, magnesium and potassium. The plan also emphasizes vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Make exercise a priority. It's important to incorporate exercise into your lifestyle, says Quesada. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
Monitor your blood pressure. If you have a history of hypertension during pregnancy, closely monitor your blood pressure after delivery, Quesada advises. It's a good idea to have your own blood pressure cuff, monitor your pressure at home, and use it at least once a month.
See your doctor regularly. A history of HDP means you should visit your doctor at least once a year to evaluate your cardiovascular risk. HDP is considered a risk enhancer and is taken into account in the evaluation, says Quesada.
Despite her tragic experience, Cantú knew she wanted to have more children. But he made sure her next pregnancy would be different.
Cantú learned everything he could about preeclampsia. She joined the nonprofit. EndPreeclampsia, a global support organization for HDP patients. She read, researched, and networked with other women with similar experiences.
When a second pregnancy was confirmed, Cantú's sister sent her a blood pressure monitor. Cantú monitored his blood pressure at home, twice a day.
“This time, I went into doctor's appointments with a lot more knowledge,” she said. “I was able to ask more questions. “I was more confident.”
Fortunately, Cantú's preeclampsia did not return during her second pregnancy. At the end of 2023, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl, who is now 5 months old. Her older sister Amelia, 3, is now a cheerful preschooler.
Cantú's best advice for other Latinas is to educate themselves about HDP and advocate for themselves at doctor visits.
“Learn as much as you can,” he said. “Yes, you should trust your doctor, but it should not be blind trust. Ask questions. Request proof if necessary. If something doesn't feel right to you, stand up for it yourself.”
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