Dieta mediterránea en el embarazo para prevención de la hipertensión postparto persistente

Abstract

Introduction: Persistent postpartum hypertension is a multisystemic syndrome characterized by the fact that after delivery blood pressure remains elevated >140/90mmHg and its main cause is preeclampsia in pregnancy. Hypertension is due to pathological changes that occur during pregnancy such as abnormal placentation, which can be improved by modifying the lifestyle with a Mediterranean diet that has properties that help to keep blood pressure low. Objective: to provide information about the role of the Mediterranean diet in the control of blood pressure in women with preeclampsia and prevention of long-term persistent postpartum hypertension through a literature review of scientific articles. Methodology: this is a descriptive-retrospective study by searching, reviewing and analyzing scientific articles collected from the electronic literature in databases such as PubMed, Elsevier and Cochrane Library published in the last 5 years. Conclusion: The Mediterranean diet during pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of preeclampsia, since the foods that comprise it, such as extra virgin olive oil, generate nitric oxide, which has vasodilator properties that help lower blood pressure, or foods rich in calcium, which decreases intracellular calcium in the smooth muscle, thus avoiding vasoconstriction. Maintaining this healthy lifestyle after childbirth generates the same benefits as during pregnancy, thus preventing postpartum hypertension.