heart problems during pregnancy; A comprehensive guide

Heart problems during pregnancy are one of the most important challenges that some mothers may face.. These problems can be caused by previous heart diseases or conditions that appear for the first time during this period.. Pregnancy is associated with extensive changes in the cardiovascular system, and for this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the health of the mother's heart and manage these changes. Heart diseases during pregnancy are problems in the functioning of the heart that may already exist or appear for the first time during this period. These problems are divided into two main categories: ### Pre-existing heart diseases during pregnancy This group includes cardiovascular problems that the mother had before pregnancy.. But physiological changes during pregnancy, including an increase in blood volume and extra load on the heart, can complicate the situation.. For example, the mother may have a history of heart surgery or suffer from diseases such as heart failure or valvular disorders.. This category includes heart problems that appear for the first time during pregnancy.. Pregnancy can be dangerous and threaten the life of the mother and the fetus.. Diagnosis Early detection of these problems and continuous follow-up with a specialist doctor are of great importance.. The mortality of pregnant mothers is especially important in developed countries... Changes in the heart and blood vessels during pregnancy During pregnancy, your body undergoes extensive changes that directly affect the cardiovascular system. These changes are necessary to support the growth of the fetus, but they put significant pressure on the heart and challenge its function. The most important of these changes are: - **Increased blood volume**: In the early weeks of pregnancy, the body's blood volume increases rapidly and becomes 40 to 45% more than normal.. This change is necessary to provide enough oxygen and nutrients to the fetus... - **Increased cardiac output**: Cardiac output which refers to an increase of 3% per minute from 0 to 0 weeks.. 28 to 34 weeks of pregnancy and in cases of twin pregnancy, it may reach 60%.. Heart diseases before pregnancy Heart diseases can develop before or during pregnancy, and in any case, they may affect the health of the mother and fetus. Some of the most important heart problems that may exist before pregnancy are: #### **1... Congenital heart diseases** These diseases are present from birth and vary from mild to severe. Although many serious cases are treated in childhood, some patients may remain with changes in heart function even after surgery. Common complications during pregnancy: - Arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat) - Heart failure - Increasing the possibility of premature birth Patients with mild congenital conditions such as mild pulmonary valve stenosis or repaired septal defects are usually at low risk... but more severe conditions such as repaired tetralogy of Fallot or aortic valve stenosis may require special care... consultation with an adult congenital heart specialist is recommended before pregnancy... ######*pathy... cardiomyopathy is one of the leading causes of serious complications and death during pregnancy... this disease It affects the function of the heart muscle, and its severity plays a decisive role in the risks of pregnancy... - Dilated cardiomyopathy: about 40% of patients suffer from heart failure or other complications during pregnancy... - Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: it is less dangerous, but it may cause complications if the necessary symptoms are present before examining and managing the pregnancy card... #### **3... heart valve diseases** Heart valve problems can be mild or severe, and some of them can affect pregnancy: - Aortic valve insufficiency: if mild, pregnancy is safe, but severe insufficiency with reduced heart function is dangerous and requires careful evaluation... - Mitral valve prolapse: often harmless, but in case of severe valve leakage, treatment may be required before pregnancy. Like Marfan, Louis Dietz or Ehlers Danlos are relevant.. During pregnancy, elevated blood pressure in the aorta increases the risk of aortic rupture or dissection, especially in the third trimester or the postpartum period. Risk factors: - Aortic valve condition with aortic dilatation - History of aortic dissection - Genetic syndromes such as Marfan and Ehlers Danlos Pre-pregnancy consultation with a cardiologist is necessary to evaluate and manage these conditions.. What heart problems may occur during pregnancy?.. Pregnancy is one of the most sensitive periods of every woman's life.. During this period, extensive hormonal and physiological changes occur in the body that can affect the function of the heart and blood vessels and lead to the occurrence of some diseases... The most common heart diseases during pregnancy are: - **High blood pressure:** High blood pressure during pregnancy can occur in various forms, such as preeclampsia and eclampsia, and cause serious complications for the mother and the fetus. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD): Spontaneous rupture of one of the coronary arteries of the heart is an emergency or emergency after delivery. **Cardiomyopathy during delivery:** Weakening of the heart muscle during pregnancy or after. From childbirth, it can lead to heart failure.... - **Blood clots:** The formation of blood clots in deep veins and pulmonary embolism are common complications of pregnancy that can lead to serious complications such as pulmonary embolism.... Which heart diseases are dangerous for pregnancy? Pregnancy is a sweet and promising experience for many women... but for women who suffer from heart diseases, this period can be accompanied by serious challenges.... Some heart diseases can increase the risk of serious complications during pregnancy and even threaten the mother and the fetus.... Among these dangerous diseases, the following can be mentioned: - Heart valvular diseases: aortic valve stenosis, mitral valve stenosis, valvular insufficiency and congenital valve diseases - **Heart muscle diseases:** Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle weakness), heart muscle disease - Coronary artery diseases: atherosclerosis, angina pectoris - **Pulmonary diseases:** Pulmonary blood pressure - **Congenital heart diseases:** such as tetralogy of Fallot, displacement of large vessels What are the signs and symptoms of heart problems during pregnancy?. **Natural changes during pregnancy may be confused with heart disease symptoms.** Increased blood volume, fetal growth and hormonal changes can cause some symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath... - **Severe shortness of breath:** If you feel shortness of breath even while resting or if your shortness of breath is so severe that it prevents you from doing daily activities, you should see a doctor... - **Chest pain:** Any pain or discomfort in the chest:** Any pain or Discomfort in the chest, even if it is mild, should be taken seriously and reported to the doctor... feeling dizzy or light-headed or even fainting, you should see a doctor.... - **Severe swelling in the legs, ankles or face:** If the swelling in the legs and ankles is severe enough to cause pain or discomfort, or if the swelling spreads to your face, you should see a doctor.... - **Persistent dry cough:** A dry cough, especially at night, can It is a sign of heart failure.. **Abnormal weight loss:** Weight loss without a clear reason during pregnancy can be a sign of a serious problem.... Diagnosis of heart diseases in pregnancy One of the most effective methods for diagnosing heart diseases during pregnancy is echocardiography of the heart during pregnancy. This non-invasive method carefully examines the structure and function of the heart. Echocardiography is very useful for evaluating valvular heart diseases, heart enlargement and other heart problems during pregnancy. Other methods for diagnosing heart diseases during pregnancy include: - **Ultrasound:** In addition to examining the growth of the fetus, ultrasound also helps the doctor in evaluating the health of the heart of the fetus....- **Blood test:** Some special blood tests are performed to evaluate the function of the heart and diagnose heart diseases during pregnancy....Treatment of heart diseases during pregnancy In the treatment of heart diseases during pregnancy, drugs are usually prescribed, and complex surgeries such as open heart surgery or minimally invasive surgeries are avoided as much as possible... To ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment, heart medications must be taken under the supervision of a cardiologist.. Complications, compliance with the following is recommended: - Sufficient rest - Healthy eating, low fat and low salt - Consuming more fruits and vegetables and drinking enough water - Regular use of prescribed medications as prescribed by the doctor