Heart Disease

During pregnancy, changes occur to the heart and blood vessels that add stress on a woman’s body and increase the workload of the heart.

These are normal changes during pregnancy. These changes will ensure that your baby recieves enough oxygen and nutrients. Sometimes, the normal changes of pregnancy can lead to symptoms including fatigue (feeling tired), shortness of breath, and light-headedness. All of these symptoms are normal, but if you are concerned, please talk to your obstetrician.

A mother with a pre-existing heart condition may need to take special precautions before and during pregnancy. Some heart conditions may increase a woman’s risk for complications during pregnancy. Also, some women may have heart or blood vessel conditions that are not identified until pregnancy.

Examples of maternal heart problems that RPG can care for include: 

• Prior cardiac event (heart attack or stroke) 
• Heart valve problems 
• Congestive heart failure 
• Blood vessel problems (including Marfan syndrome) 
• Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat)

Many times your Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist here at RPG will recommend that you see a cardiologist during pregnancy if you do not already have one.