Purpose: to observe the circadian pattern of blood pressure variation in normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women, assessing the occurrence of nocturnal blood pressure decrease, as well as the compliance with the method and possible complications. Methods: the blood pressure measurement was carried out in seventeen normotensive and fourteen hypertensive pregnant women at the Hospital das Clínicas of UFMG. Blood pressure was measured on two different occasions during gestation using the oscillometric technique to compare both groups. Results: in both groups nocturnal decrease in blood pressure as well as an increase in pressure levels was observed as pregnancy advanced. No significant complications were seen and they did not interfere with compliance which was 100%. Conclusions: the ambulatory blood pressure measurement is useful to evaluate pressure variation in normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women confirming the gradual increase in blood pressure throughout pregnancy and the nocturnal physiologic decrease which does not depend on maternal pressure levels.
Normal pregnancy; Hypertensive pregnancy; Circadian rhythm
