Cardiac Signs and Symptoms During Pregnancy
Symptoms may occur during pregnancies that are often associated with
cardiac disease; however, these symptoms may be normal. These symptoms
include fatigue, fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty
breathing while sleeping, and palpitations. Fainting may occur due to
blood pressure and volume changes in pregnancy. Shortness of breath and
difficulty breathing while lying down may be due to the mechanical
effect of the enlarging uterus as pregnancy progresses. Palpitations,
or an awareness of the heartbeat, may occur because the diaphragm
shifts up in the chest during pregnancy causing the heart to sit higher
in the chest. Any of these symptoms occurring at rest may be
serious and due to underlying significant heart disease and should be
further evaluated.
Although a heart murmur (changes within the sounds of the heart) and ankle swelling may be associated with heart disease, these two symptoms also may occur during a normal pregnancy. Nearly 90 percent of pregnant women develop a heart murmur, which may be due to the increased volume of blood flowing through the heart during pregnancy. Pregnant women may develop underlying irregularities of the heartbeat that may be perfectly normal and can only be distinguished by specific cardiac testing. In addition, it is quite common that women develop swelling of their ankles and feet during pregnancy and this may not be due to underlying heart disease.
Although a heart murmur (changes within the sounds of the heart) and ankle swelling may be associated with heart disease, these two symptoms also may occur during a normal pregnancy. Nearly 90 percent of pregnant women develop a heart murmur, which may be due to the increased volume of blood flowing through the heart during pregnancy. Pregnant women may develop underlying irregularities of the heartbeat that may be perfectly normal and can only be distinguished by specific cardiac testing. In addition, it is quite common that women develop swelling of their ankles and feet during pregnancy and this may not be due to underlying heart disease.
Contact
Heart Disease and Pregnancy Program
(866) 662-8467 (toll free)
Program Guide
Heart Disease and Pregnancy Program
Preconception Evaluation
Congenital Heart Disease and Pregnancy
Cardiac Diseases and Pregnancy
Cardiac Signs and Symptoms During Pregnancy
Medical Management of Heart Disease and Pregnancy
Diagnostic Testing Durning Pregnancy
Labor and Delivery with Heart Disease
Review Date: 08/06
