Pregnancy Demands Extra Care for Your Heart Health

Alright, let's chat about heart health during pregnancy. Expecting mothers might be surprised to know that their cardiovascular system can be affected, too! Here's a friendly lowdown on what you should know about heart disease and pregnancy.

First off, the stressors during pregnancy can put a toll on some women's hearts, especially for those with existing heart conditions or those at risk. In the U.S., about 1 in 3 pregnancy-related deaths are due to cardiovascular problems.

So, what's the skinny on heart disease during pregnancy? MFM specialist, Dr. Jeff Chapa, who focuses on high-risk pregnancies, lays it out for us. Here's the deal: pregnancy brings changes like an increase in blood volume and an increased heart rate, along with a higher risk of blood clots. These changes can create extra stress on the heart, especially for those with underlying heart issues.

An interesting trend has been on the rise: cardiovascular disease has become the No. 1 cause of death during pregnancy in the U.S. Today. A 2018 study found that heart attacks before, during, and after delivery have increased by 25% over a 12-year period.

But fear not, there are reasons behind this increase in complications:

Better care for people with heart disease means more individuals are reaching child-bearing age and experiencing pregnancy.
People are waiting longer to have kids, which brings a higher risk of heart disease and heart attack as we age.
Obesity and related conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure are also on the rise, increasing the risk of heart disease.

The good news? Yes, you can have a healthy pregnancy even if you have heart disease. The key is prevention. Dr. Chapa advises focusing on optimizing your health prior to pregnancy. If you have pre-existing heart issues or hypertension, it's crucial to manage those conditions before pursuing pregnancy.

During pregnancy, it's essential to pay attention to your heart health, but common heart disease symptoms can be tricky to distinguish from pregnancy complaints. If your symptoms start worsening or they interfere with your everyday activities, it's time to reach out to your healthcare provider.

Early detection of problems can help your healthcare team to manage them, preventing complications down the road.

Enrichment Data:- Heart disease risks during pregnancy, particularly high blood pressure and preeclampsia, can pose immediate risks to both mother and baby. Long-term risks include chronic hypertension, stroke, abnormal heart rhythms, and increased risk of future heart disease.- Women with known heart conditions or risk factors should ideally consult with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist or cardiologist before becoming pregnant for preconception counseling.- Ongoing monitoring of blood pressure, heart function, and overall health, medication adjustments if needed, and maintaining regular cardiovascular health screenings after pregnancy are essential for managing heart disease risks during and after pregnancy.- The collaboration of obstetricians, cardiologists, and other specialists forms cardio-obstetrics teams to manage complex cases and reduce risks throughout pregnancy and postpartum.- Healthy diet, regular physical activity (as tolerated), and management of other risk factors like obesity and diabetes play crucial roles in heart disease prevention and management during and after pregnancy.

While some women might be unaware, heart disease can pose significant risks during pregnancy, especially for those with existing medical conditions or those at risk.
In light of the increase in cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death during pregnancy, it's crucial to focus on heart health and prevention before, during, and after pregnancy.
Proactive management of heart disease risks, including ongoing monitoring, medication adjustments if necessary, and maintaining regular health screenings, can help ensure a healthy pregnancy and reduced risks of complications in the future.