Suggestions for guiding pregnancy with chronic hypertension

      The following are recommendations for the guidance of proposed pregnancy in patients with chronic hypertension: 1. Pre-pregnancy assessment: blood pressure level, presence of target organ damage, ongoing antihypertensive regimen and efficacy, etc. 2.  Pre-pregnancy preparation: actively improve lifestyle, salt restriction, diet control, increase physical exercise to control body mass index at 18.5-24.5 kg/m2. For mildly elevated blood pressure, the above interventions can bring blood pressure down to normal range. Actively find the possible causes of hypertension and correct them.  3.Adjustment of antihypertensive drugs: If the blood pressure cannot be lowered to normal by lifestyle, start using antihypertensive drugs. Switch to nifedipine or (and) labetalol to control blood pressure starting 6 months before pregnancy. If blood pressure is still higher than 150/100mmHg after treatment with both drugs, pregnancy should be suspended.  4. Blood pressure should be closely monitored during pregnancy. Once blood pressure fluctuations are difficult to control or headache and dizziness, convulsions, proteinuria, etc., immediate medical attention should be sought and termination of pregnancy may be required.