The diastolic blood pressure is at its lowest during which gestational window?

The diastolic blood pressure is at its lowest during which gestational window?

• A. 12 to 20 weeks
• B. 24 to 32 weeks
• C. 34 to 38 weeks
• D. Immediately after delivery

Answer: (B)

During normal pregnancy, hormones cause widespread vasodilation and plasma volume expands. This reduces systemic vascular resistance, which makes diastolic blood pressure fall. The diastolic pressure reaches its lowest point in mid-pregnancy, when vasodilation is strongest and resistance is at its lowest. After this period, vascular resistance begins to rise again as pregnancy progresses toward term, causing diastolic pressure to rise even though cardiac output remains high. So the diastolic BP is at its lowest during the mid-second trimester, the time when vasodilation and volume expansion produce the greatest drop in peripheral resistance. Early in pregnancy the drop isn’t as pronounced, and late in pregnancy the diastolic BP tends to increase toward baseline.

During normal pregnancy, hormones cause widespread vasodilation and plasma volume expands. This reduces systemic vascular resistance, which makes diastolic blood pressure fall. The diastolic pressure reaches its lowest point in mid-pregnancy, when vasodilation is strongest and resistance is at its lowest. After this period, vascular resistance begins to rise again as pregnancy progresses toward term, causing diastolic pressure to rise even though cardiac output remains high. So the diastolic BP is at its lowest during the mid-second trimester, the time when vasodilation and volume expansion produce the greatest drop in peripheral resistance. Early in pregnancy the drop isn’t as pronounced, and late in pregnancy the diastolic BP tends to increase toward baseline.