Pregnancy brings many changes to a woman’s body, among which the burden on the heart is particularly obvious. As blood volume increases during pregnancy, the heart has to cope with higher cardiac output, which can cause serious health problems in some people with heart disease. This article examines how pregnancy affects heart health, especially in women with a history of heart disease.
During pregnancy, blood circulation in the body goes through significant changes. Usually, the blood volume of pregnant women will increase by 30% to 50%, and the mission of the heart is to efficiently deliver this extra blood to all parts of the body. This is undoubtedly a huge challenge for the heart, especially for women who already have heart disease.
During pregnancy, the burden on the heart increases. For women with heart disease, this may aggravate the condition and even lead to heart failure.
For women with a history of heart disease, the type of heart disease will directly affect the outcome of their pregnancy. The most common ones include mitral valve stenosis, heart failure and arrhythmia. These diseases may worsen significantly during pregnancy, causing harm to the health of the mother and fetus.
Mitral stenosis is the most common heart disease in pregnant women and can lead to heart failure and fetal distress in severe cases.
During pregnancy, if women experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or frequent heart palpitations, they should seek medical attention promptly to confirm whether it is related to heart health. Doctors will judge the condition of the heart based on clinical manifestations, auscultation, and imaging studies.
Early diagnosis and interventional treatment are crucial to maintaining the health of pregnant women and fetuses, especially in the context of heart disease.
For women who develop heart problems during pregnancy, treatment options depend on the severity of the heart disease and several important considerations for the woman, including the health of the fetus. Pregnant women with mild symptoms may not need special treatment, but for those with moderate to severe symptoms, medication or even surgery may be necessary.
Effective treatment not only aims to improve the mother's heart function, but also focuses on the safety of the fetus.
For pregnant women with heart problems, monitoring during pregnancy and postpartum follow-up are essential. Doctors need to continue to pay attention to the recovery of maternal heart function to ensure postpartum health and reduce long-term damage to the heart.
Postpartum check-ups are critical to assess your heart's recovery and prevent possible future problems.