Pregnancy is a life-changing phase, as it creates new life, and it can also increasingly strain a woman’s heart, revealing or worsening existing cardiovascular concerns. Dr. Maria Tehrani, who serves as a heart surgeon in Westwood, CA, a region where heart disease is prevalent, aims to empower women by educating them on these risks and helping them adopt lifestyle changes to achieve a heart-healthy pregnancy. In this blog, I will talk about the major concerns regarding heart health during pregnancy, the symptoms that should raise alarm bells, and the actionable measures that can be taken to achieve optimal health for the woman and the child.

Why Pregnancy is a Significant Concern for Heart Health

To accommodate a growing baby, a woman’s body goes through tremendous changes during pregnancy. For expectant mothers, the heart’s workload is also bearing significantly more. In addition to the existing cardiovascular strain, blood volume increases by up to 50%, heart rate can increase, and the bio-mechanics of the body become more complex as both mother and child to be are cared for. While the majority of women go through these changes smoothly, women with certain heart problems or risk factors can be faced with complications. Issues such as hypertension or more complex problems like the development of preeclampsia, are some of the potential red flags that can aggravating a woman’s cardiovascular health during pregnancy.

Recognizing Common Heart Health Risks During Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings exciting changes, but there are certain cardiovascular issues that may develop. Here is a list of the most recognized concerns along with their descriptions:

– Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Either chronic hypertension or pregnancy-induced hypertension can weaken the heart. It can cause complications like premature birth and affects close to 8-10% of expecting mothers. Thus, careful tracking is necessary.

– Preeclampsia: This condition, emerging with elevated blood pressure, and protein presence in urine after 20 weeks, can, if uncontrolled, damage the heart, cause seizures or other organ damage. Typical signs are swelling, headaches, and vision changes.

– Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM): A serious yet rare form of heart failure is PPCM which can occur in the last month of pregnancy or five months postpartum. It is characterized by breath shortness, fatigue, and leg swelling.

– Arrhythmias: Increase in blood volume and shifts in hormones may also cause irregular heartbeats. Even though they are mostly harmless, persistent issues necessitate evaluation by a cardiologist.

Recognizing Warning Signs

Women experiencing heart issues might mistake the symptoms for the usual discomforts associated with pregnancy. However, some warning signs are more serious and require immediate medical attention. Reach out to a healthcare professional or a cardiologist if you notice:

– Shortness of breath, even when resting.

– Pain or discomfort in the chest.

– Extreme swelling in the hands, feet, or ankles.

– Fainting or dizziness.

– Constant racing or uneven heart beats.

Taking action and seeking help for these in a timely manner can make a drastic difference, especially for women in areas like Westwood, CA, where specialized centers are easy to access.

Tips for Protecting Your Heart During Pregnancy

Expecting mothers can follow some pragmatic guidelines to make sure they are protecting their heart health. Here are a few:

– Routine Checkups: During the course of the pregnancy, the doctor should monitor blood pressure and heart function regularly. An expecting mother with a cardiology history should see a heart doctor as well, in combination with the pregnancy doctor creating an anticipatory guide for her wellbeing.

– Nutrition: Limit sodium intake to prevent water retention and emphasize a balanced intake to curb blood pressure that includes vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

– Moderate Exercise: After discussing with your doctor, consider mild forms of exercise, such as walking, and prenatal yoga. Doing these exercises for about 30 minutes most days will greatly help in improving blood flow, reducing stress, and will be beneficial in an urban setting.

– Stress Management: Focused meditation and breathing exercises can help calm everyone’s mind, and considering how emotionally draining pregnancy can be, practicing these can greatly help in reducing stress.

– Avoid Smoking and Alcohol: These greatly affect the health of the expecting mother and can heighten heart issues. You can ask your doctor for help in quitting these.

– Know Your History: If you have any existing issues such as a family history of heart problems, make sure to inform the doctors in advance so they can start with preventive measures and closely track you.

When to Seek Specialized Care

Having a heart concern before pregnancy or developing one during pregnancy makes it essential to work with a pregnancy cardiologist. Dr. Maria Tehrani, a heart surgeon located in Westwood, CA, advocates for individualized women’s health strategies. Cardiologists are well-versed in managing complex pregnancies with pre-existing heart conditions and can provide medication management, recommend important lifestyle modifications, and support during a safe delivery. Pregnancy with heart issues can be daunting, urban living already adds to the stress with relentless traffic and pollution, the need for expert care increases.

Empowering Yourself Through Knowledge

By understanding the heart complications that can arise during pregnancy and managing the risks, expecting mothers can focus on the joy of welcoming a baby. Residents of Westwood, CA, and the surrounding areas can consult Dr. Tehrani’s office to ease their pregnancy stress. Dr. Tehrani and her team are dedicated to supporting women with personalized cardiovascular pregnancy care, so rest assured you will receive expert care at every step.