Pregnancy problems are most commonly caused by cardiovascular illness. The most typical form of cardiac illness that affects pregnancy is congenital heart disease. 1-4% of pregnancies are complicated by cardiovascular illness, and the prevalence increases when hypertension conditions are taken into account. There are two main heart conditions that could affect you during pregnant:
Pre-existing heart issues, such as congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart valve disease, and aortic disease. These ailments are heart diseases that you had before getting pregnant. These disorders may not have previously generated any symptoms or serious concerns.
Pregnancy-related heart conditions: These include conditions like hypertension, gestational diabetes, arrhythmias, spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), myocardial ischemia, peripartum cardiomyopathy, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism that you didn't have before becoming pregnant. Some are risk-free, while others can be harmful.
In affluent nations, congenital heart disease is the most prevalent type. The most prevalent type of rheumatic heart disease is found in poorer nations.
The following are some heart-related symptoms that are comparable to how you typically experience pregnancy:
Fatigue
Frequent urination
Breathing problems
Edema in the ankles and feet
These signs could be unharmful, but it could be if any of the following occur:
They start after week 20 of pregnancy
They hinder you from carrying out your routine daily activities
Even when you're resting, you get breathlessness
You wake up in the middle of the night with breathlessness
Other symptoms that are abnormal during pregnancy include:
Blurred vision
Angina
Longer-lasting heart palpitations than 30 seconds.
Syncope
Tachycardia, or a pounding heartbeat
Book an appointment with your cardiologist if you experience any of these symptoms or call the emergency number right away if you experience any chest pain or discomfort.
Significant changes occur in the circulatory system during pregnancy:
The majority of hemodynamic alterations begin in the first trimester, reach their peak in the second trimester, and plateau in the third. Blood volume and heart rate increases cause a 30–50% rise in cardiac output.
The average rise in heart rate is 10 to 15 beats per minute.
A heart that is abnormal or at risk of developing cardiac disorders may experience an unacceptable strain as a result of these alterations.
Electrocardiography
Baseline oxygen saturation and low-intensity exercise testing
A more thorough workup should be prompted in situations such ventricular hypertrophy, signs of a past myocardial infarction or ischemia, atrial enlargements, conduction abnormalities, or arrhythmias.
Cardiac catheterization should be avoided during pregnancy and should only be used in circumstances where therapeutic intervention is being explored.
You can control cardiac disease while pregnant with the support of medical treatment and self-care.
Preventing excessive weight gain by calculating the safe weight gain during pregnancy.
Reduce stress by avoiding emotional upsetting events and learning relaxation techniques.
Consume a diet that is heart-healthy by cutting back on your daily intake of sodium, sugar, saturated fat, and trans-fat.
Exercise safely: Steer clear of activities that place an undue burden on your heart.
Some medications are considered unsafe to administer during pregnancy, such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, Aldosterone antagonists, some anticoagulant medications, like warfarin, and some medications that treat pulmonary hypertension, like riociguat and bosentan. You may be prescribed medications to manage specific conditions or risk factors based on your status.
Contact your cardiologist and/or gynecologist right away if you become pregnant while taking any of the aforementioned drugs. Never stop taking any medicine without first consulting your doctor.
Consult your gynaecologist or cardiologist to learn which medications are safe for you to use while pregnant and which ones are not.
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