If you’re pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, it’s especially important to keep your blood pressure under control. High blood pressure during pregnancy can decrease blood flow to the placenta, limiting your baby’s supply of oxygen and nutrients and increasing the risk of preterm delivery. It can also lead to a condition called preeclampsia or toxemia, which can affect your kidneys, liver, and brain, and in extreme cases, cause seizures and coma.

High blood pressure also increases your chances of having a stroke during pregnancy and in the weeks following childbirth. (A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted.) Controlling your blood pressure during pregnancy may also affect your long-term stroke risk.

These steps can help you control your blood pressure during pregnancy:

If you’ve already had a pregnancy marked by complications such as high blood pressure or preeclampsia, talk to your doctor about determining your risk of stroke and taking steps to protect yourself