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Welcoming a new baby is a life-changing milestone. While preparing for a growing family can be a heartwarming time, pregnancy itself can be heart-stressing.
For example, the amount of blood in the body (blood volume) more than doubles during pregnancy to support mom and baby. Plus, the heart rate increases 10 to 20 beats per minute. This extra cardiovascular stress can worsen pre-existing heart conditions and, in some cases, uncover hidden heart problems.
A pre-conception appointment with your doctor can set the stage for heart-healthy pregnancy. Together, you can discuss any cardiovascular risk factors to consider—like diabetes, obesity, or high cholesterol—and put a care plan in place.
If you have a pre-existing heart condition and are thinking about having a baby, talk with your cardiologist about heart care during pregnancy.
1. See a doctor before getting pregnant.
Maternal mortality rates have been on the rise in the last 20 years. Overall, pregnancy-related deaths increased by about 28% between 2018 and 2022, driven largely by cardiovascular risk.
That’s why optimizing heart health with a cardiologist before pregnancy is so important for people with pre-existing heart conditions.
Pre-conception heart care helps patients and cardiologists work together to be sure medication dosages are appropriate and safe in pregnancy. Tests and imaging can help ensure your heart is as healthy as it can be before the pregnancy stress test.
When the time comes, MedStar Health’s cardio-obstetric care teams work together to support heart, pregnancy, and postpartum care for patients. This multidisciplinary approach combines cardiologists, high-risk obstetricians, and anesthesiologists to create a strong network of support for the best possible pregnancy.
2. Take steps to maintain a healthy heart during pregnancy.
Having a heart-healthy pregnancy is no accident. There are fundamental steps everyone should take to build a healthier heart:
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Eat a healthy diet of whole foods, like the Mediterranean Diet
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Avoid smoking, taking drugs, and drinking alcohol
There are a few more steps to support your best heart health during pregnancy. The first is to take care of mental health. Studies have linked some mental health conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia to a higher likelihood of pregnancy complications such as:
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Gestational hypertension (high blood pressure)
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Hemorrhage (bleeding)
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Preeclampsia (a potentially life-threating complication from high blood pressure)
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Preterm labor or birth
Those complications, along with others such as gestational diabetes, can have long-term effects on your cardiovascular system that increase the risk of developing heart disease later in life. So it’s vital to do as much as possible to manage stress and mood to help prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Paying close attention to your body can also help. Keep tabs on weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar and take note of any sudden changes. Be sure to follow up with your doctor about any concerning trends. And while you’re there, check in about your vaccination record. Some vaccine-preventable illnesses, like the flu, can trigger cardiovascular events.
Related: Read “New Mother-Baby Intensive Outpatient Program Supports Mental Health in Pregnancy and Beyond.”
3. Pay attention to signs of cardiac stress.
Because the heart naturally works overtime during pregnancy, some normal prenatal symptoms might feel like cardiac warning signs. These can include:
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Fatigue
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Some swelling in the legs or feet known as edema
To help recognize the difference between pregnancy symptoms and cardiac symptoms, look for patterns or sudden, severe, or significant changes. Signs that could point to heart conditions include:
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Persistent fatigue
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Serious swelling that quickly gets worse
Some symptoms are never considered normal during pregnancy—like chest pain or pressure, feeling dizzy or fainting, or not being able to breathe while lying down. See your doctor right away if you notice those symptoms.
Related: Read “Cardio-Obstetrics Research Projects Aim to Make Pregnancy Healthier at All Stages.”
4. Keep monitoring your heart health after baby arrives.
The months after delivering a baby, called the postpartum period, is an important time of recovery. Visit your obstetrician six weeks after delivery to be sure your body is healing.
Be vigilant about monitoring your blood pressure in the meantime, especially if it was abnormal after your baby was born. Visit your doctor right away if you notice blood pressure spikes to rule out postpartum preeclampsia, a rare but serious condition.
Pay close attention to other symptoms like swelling, persistent fatigue or intense breathlessness. Those may be signs of peripartum cardiomyopathy, a rare type of heart failure, that could surface up to a year after delivery.
Related: Read “Mom HEART Program Helps Birthing Patients Keep Tabs on Blood Pressure at Home.”
Take good care of your heart before, during, and after pregnancy.
If you’re thinking about conceiving, remember that your cardiologist can be an important partner in your pregnancy journey, along with your primary care provider and obstetrician. Together, this holistic care team can work alongside you to optimize your heart health and overall wellbeing before, during, and after the pregnancy stress test for the best possible outcome.
