High cholesterol in pregnant women: analysis decoding, norm and methods of normalization

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 22:35

With the onset of pregnancy, cardinal changes occur in a woman's body, which everyone knows, especially the fair sex themselves. Moreover, they affect all systems, including the composition of the blood plasma. In this regard, even high cholesterol in pregnant women is considered normal, but only if its level does not exceed acceptable levels.

Otherwise, it becomes necessary to lower lipoproteins in order to avoid serious complications for the mother and her unborn child.

What is this substance?

Cholesterol, or cholesterol, is a fat-like substance that is produced by a he althy body (80%). Various bodies are involved in this process:

• liver;
• kidneys;
• adrenals;
• intestines;
• sex endocrine glands.

Among them, the main supplier of such a complex and necessary organic compound is the liver. The remaining 20% comes with food. The importance of cholesterol for the body is difficult to underestimate - it takes part in the synthesis of nerve cells, vitamin D, increases the strength of cell membranes.

In addition, without it, the production of a number of hormones is impossible. Therefore, it is so important to know whether the cholesterol in the blood of a pregnant woman is elevated or not. This will allow you to prescribe the appropriate course of treatment or take action if necessary.

In the blood, the much-needed compound is found in the form of lipoproteins, which vary in degree of solubility:

• Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL ("bad" cholesterol).
• High-density lipoprotein, or HDL ("good" cholesterol).

The formation of atherosclerotic deposits in the blood vessels occurs precisely due to LDL - it is not called “bad” for nothing.

Physiological feature

In the early period of pregnancy, thanks to cholesterol, the production of progesterone is ensured for the formation of the placenta. Also, its role is to ensure that the embryo can safely attach to the wall of the uterus. In addition, the need for cholesterol is due to the exclusion of the likelihood of rejection of the fetus by the female body. As the placenta develops and grows, including the reproductive organ, the need for the hormone increases.

Therefore, do not be surprised at high cholesterol in pregnant women in the 3rd trimester. At a later date, it is necessary to prepare the mammary glands for breastfeeding. And here, too, it can not do without hormones, and, consequently, cholesterol. In addition, an increase in the level of an organic compound helps to stimulate the growth of the uterus, prevent preterm labor, and also supports the nervous system of the expectant mother.

It is for this reason that the concentration of cholesterol can double, which cannot yet be considered a pathology. After the birth of the child, the indicators will return to normal.

Other triggers

If we talk about changes in the level of pathological lipids during pregnancy, then in this case the reasons are quite diverse. This is the maintenance of an improper diet, obesity, the use of trans fats in large quantities. At the same time, if a woman leads a sedentary lifestyle, the indicators increase. Also affects age and hereditary predisposition.

If cholesterol is high in a pregnant woman, the reason (in addition to the above) may be caused by some pathologies:

• Diseases of the liver, kidneys associated with the synthesis of cholesterol.
• Disruption of the metabolic process.
• Improper functioning of the cardiovascular system.
• Symptoms of endocrine disorders.
• Development of chronic infections.
• Somatotropic insufficiency.
• Dysbacteriosis.

It is worth noting that women in late pregnancythe development of various diseases is more common than under normal conditions. At the same time, due to aggravated heredity, cholesterol can increase from the first weeks of the gestational period.

Limits of normal

In he althy people, indicators of cholesterol in the blood do not exceed 3-4 mmol/l. As we now know, an increase in cholesterol in the blood of pregnant women is not yet a pathology. After all, this is rather a necessity due to the active development of the fetus - the birth of a new life requires various "building materials", and lipids play an important role here.

Below is a table that shows the indicators of the norm of cholesterol, depending on age and "position". This will determine whether the concentration of cholesterol in the blood of a pregnant woman is increased or is within the normal range.

Age (years)	Norm among non-pregnant women (mmol/l)	Normal values in pregnant women (mmol/L)
From 16 to 20	No more than 5, 18	3, 07-5, 19
20 to 25	No more than 5, 59	3, 17-5, 6
25 to 30	No more than 5, 75	3, 3-5, 8
From 31 to 35	No more than 5, 96	3, 4-5, 97
35 to 40	No more than 6, 27	3, 7-6, 3
From 40	No more than 6, 53	3, 9-6, 9

As you can see from the table, young girls have less cholesterol than older and mature women. During the entire period of bearing a child, women donate blood for analysis in order to monitor the level of lipids in the blood. And if a significant excess is detected, it is necessary to start treatment in a timely manner in order to avoid serious complications.

Risk Awareness

Many women, being pregnant, are aware of the seriousness of the situation and try to protect themselves from many negative factors. In this case, the level of lipids in the blood plays an important role. And not only during pregnancy, but also in everyday life.

The fact of high cholesterol in pregnant women should not be ignored! Otherwise, this can threaten not only the deterioration of the condition of the expectant mother, but also serious complications:

• The blood begins to thicken, which increases the load on the heart. But with the special “status” of a woman, he already has to work with a vengeance!
• The risk of developing atherosclerotic plaques in the blood vessels increases. Due to the presence of dense lipid deposits in the veins and arteries, the lumen noticeably narrows, which in turn leads to impaired blood circulation.
• Excessively high cholesterol levels give rise to the development of varicose veins, which causes swelling. As a result, bearing a child becomes much more difficult.
• Due to the narrowed lumen of the blood vessels, oxygen and nutrition are supplied in insufficient quantities. This ends with a malfunction of the internal organs and the possible development of ischemia.

At the same time, high cholesterol in pregnant women has a negative impact not only on their body, the child is also at risk. Due to obstructed blood flow, the embryo often begins to experience oxygen starvation, which leaves its negative imprint on its development. As a result, such babies are born with a low body mass index, pathologies of the cardiovascular system. You can also observe among children and a serious delay in development.

In addition, there is a high probability of cardinal changes in the work of the kidneys, liver, endocrine system, and not for the better. In turn, this threatens the development of concomitant diseases. In some cases, the excess of cholesterol from the normal range ends with placental abruption and premature delivery.

Characteristics

Usually, any expectant mother tries to listen to her own body and can recognize any changes throughout the pregnancy. However, to understand that the level of cholesterol in pregnant women has risen above the standards is not as easy as it might seem. In this regard, you should notify the doctor about changes in well-being.

A number of symptoms that should alert women in any case:

• weight gain, significant;
• often hurtshead;
• dizziness;
• appearance of the so-called stars on the legs;
• leg cramps, especially at night;
• failure;
• heaviness in the legs;
• heartaches.

In some cases, pregnant women may develop yellow spots above the eyes or in the eyelid area. Is this a direct indication of an increase in blood cholesterol levels? Perhaps, but only in part, because this symptom may indicate the development of other pathologies.

High cholesterol in pregnant women - what to do?

The fact that pregnant women have high levels (in excess of the established norm) of cholesterol should already be alarming in itself! Of course, this is by no means a reason for panic, but it is clearly worth taking appropriate measures. Moreover, it will not be difficult for expectant mothers to influence this. Moreover, you can do without taking medications, because many drugs are simply contraindicated in such a crucial period. Their reception can be prescribed by doctors only in critical situations.

In any case, if necessary, lower cholesterol levels, this should be done only under medical supervision. To do this, it is necessary first of all to establish the correct diet, to increase physical activity within reasonable limits. To this end, you can pay attention to some classes (of course, with the approval of a specialist):

• yoga;
• swimming;
• water aerobics;
• walking.

All of them are shown even during pregnancy. For expectant mothers, the main thing is to minimize a sedentary lifestyle, because otherwise, even despite the special “status” that gives certain privileges, this threatens the development of hypodynamia. And in this case, high cholesterol in a pregnant woman is a matter of time.

In extreme cases, exercise can be replaced by a walk in the fresh air, trips to the forest. This will saturate the body with oxygen, which will positively affect the body and the well-being of the woman herself.

Keeping a he althy diet

It is worth dwelling on nutrition in more detail. To bring cholesterol levels back to normal, pregnant women should follow a diet that includes avoiding fried and fatty, as well as s alty (excessively) foods. Most of this substance, as we know, the body is able to produce on its own.

In addition, the following recommendations should be followed:

• Reduce or eliminate carbohydrates, which are abundant in sweets, pastries, cakes.
• Divide your daily food intake into 5 or even 6 meals. As a result, you will be able to avoid overeating and improve the metabolic process.
• Be sure to include fiber in the menu through the consumption of fruits, herbs and vegetables. Carrots and spinach, bell peppers and eggplant, garlic, citrus fruits and apples - all this contributes to the normalization of lipid metabolism.
• Meat should choose lean varieties. It is better to pay attention to dietary types - chicken breast, turkey, rabbit.
• Butter or sunflower oil itself should be replacedolive or sesame analogue.
• Among berries to lower lipids, cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, currants should be used.

In addition, in the treatment of high cholesterol in pregnant women, the water regime is also important - you need to drink at least 2 liters of water during the day. This will keep your electrolyte balance at an optimal level.

And since pregnancy imposes certain restrictions on drinks, women are recommended vitamin juices and fruit drinks from carrots, apples, berries, rosehip infusion.

List of useful products

Keep your cholesterol under control with a number of he althy foods. And if there is no predisposition to the development of an allergic reaction, then you can safely use:

• avocado;
• olive oil;
• fish oil;
• persimmon.

Avocado helps prevent the development of atherosclerosis. And if the level of cholesterol is already above the norm, it will ensure its reduction to the required limits.

Olive oil contains phytosterols, which allows you to normalize hormonal balance. In addition, not only lipid metabolism improves, but also the tone of the walls of blood vessels.

Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. And actually due to this, the fight against high cholesterol is carried out at the level of taking drugs with a lipid-lowering effect.

In persimmon you can find a lot of useful and essential trace elements for the body, including iron, manganese, potassium, sucrose. Thanks to such therapy against high cholesterol in pregnant women, its level will return to normal limits.

Help of traditional medicine

In addition to medicines that a doctor can prescribe in case of emergency, you can pay attention to herbal remedies in the form of linden flowers, dandelion, flax seeds, garlic. The combination of onions and apples also makes for a he althy vitamin blend. In addition, among the means of traditional medicine, it is worth using herbal preparations. In particular, we are talking about the following plants:

• valerian root;
• fennel fruit;
• peppermint leaves;
• chamomile flowers.

Also, in order to lower the dangerous level of cholesterol, it is worth eating chopped walnut kernels in a course of several months.

Tomato, carrot, beetroot juices will stabilize blood lipids.

As a conclusion

Finally, it remains to once again clarify and recall important points. Cholesterol levels must be monitored throughout the entire pregnancy! When the first signs of its increase appear, it is necessary to take appropriate measures to reduce it in a timely manner.

And if a pregnant woman's cholesterol is high, the reasons should not be discounted, they must be eliminated in a timely manner! And so that later there are no problems at all with regard to lipid metabolism, you should take care of organizing a he althy diet in advance.