Risk Factors of Gestational Hypertension Among Patients Visting Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore

ABSTRACT Background: Pregnancy induced hypertension which is also known as preeclampsia and toxemia of pregnancy. It is a pregnancy complication categorized by high blood pressure due to fluid retention. High blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg is considered as hypertensive condition. Objective: To determine the risk factors that lead to the gestational hypertension among the women attending Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. 100 hypertensive pregnant women were selected through non-probability convenient sampling technique attending medical OPD at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. Pretested questionnaires were used to collect information related to the participant's dietary practices. The risk factors related to gestational hypertension were also evaluated. SPSS version 21.0 and Microsoft Excel were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Results showed that life style (77%), socioeconomic status (71%), obesity (69%), age (>30years; 52%), family history (45%) and uneducated (28%) along with unhealthy dietary practices during pregnancy were the major cause of gestational hypertension CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that health education during antenatal care appearance may play an important role in preventing the disease from worsening. The study concluded that high intake of fatty food, white bread, red meat and starchy vegetables should be avoided during pregnancy. KEYWORDS: Gestational hypertension, Excessive weight gain, Dietary factors