Managing And Treating Heart Disease In Pregnancy
Discover effective ways to manage heart disease during pregnancy, including early diagnosis, treatments, and lifestyle changes, ensuring the health and safety of both mother and baby during this critical time.
Written by Dr Sonia Bhatt
Last updated on 3rd Jul, 2025
Heart disease during pregnancy refers to cardiovascular problems that arise or worsen while expecting. It is a significant contributor to pregnancy-related complications. The physiological changes of pregnancy, such as a 30% to 50% increase in blood volume to support the growing baby, place additional demands on the heart and blood vessels. The heart pumps more blood per minute, and the heart rate accelerates. The challenges intensify during labour and delivery due to sudden shifts in blood pressure and blood flow, especially during pushing. These changes can exacerbate existing heart conditions or lead to new cardiovascular issues. Read on to learn more about managing and treating heart disease during pregnancy.
Types of Heart Disease Affecting Pregnancy
Several heart and blood vessel conditions can impact pregnancy, including:
Heart Rhythm Disorders (Arrhythmias): These irregularities cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or with an abnormal rhythm. Arrhythmias may lead to blood clots, increasing the risk of heart complications and strokes.
Heart Valve Problems: The heart's four valves regulate blood flow. Issues such as scarring, defects, or artificial valves can heighten the risk of pregnancy complications. Faulty valves may struggle to handle the increased blood volume of pregnancy, and artificial valves elevate the risk of infections in the heart lining and valves.
Congestive Heart Failure: This condition occurs when the heart fails to pump blood effectively. Pregnancy-related increases in blood volume and heart strain can exacerbate congestive heart failure, leading to significant challenges.
Congenital Heart Defects: These are heart abnormalities present from birth, ranging from mild to severe. A parent with a congenital heart defect may pass on the condition to their baby. Additionally, these defects raise the likelihood of arrhythmias, heart failure, and preterm birth during pregnancy.
Cardiomyopathy: This group of conditions affects the heart muscle, impairing its ability to pump blood efficiently. Cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of severe complications and maternal mortality during pregnancy, with risks varying based on the type and severity of the condition
Consult Top Doctors For Heart Disease in Pregnancy
Risk Factors for Heart Disease in Pregnancy
Pregnancy-related heart disease can arise due to several risk factors, which are categorised as modifiable and non-modifiable:
Non-modifiable Risk Factors
These are inherent factors that cannot be altered. Having more of these increases the likelihood of heart disease:
Multiple pregnancies
Age over 30 at the time of pregnancy
A history of complications in previous pregnancies, such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia
Preexisting heart conditions like myocarditis, endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, or congenital heart disease
Modifiable Risk Factors
These are factors that can be managed or improved through lifestyle changes or medical intervention:
Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher
Alcohol or drug abuse during pregnancy
Poor nutritional habits before or during pregnancy
High blood pressure
Diabetes, characterised by elevated blood glucose levels
Symptoms of Heart Disease During Pregnancy
Some heart-related symptoms can closely resemble typical pregnancy experiences, such as:
Frequent urination
Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
Swelling (edema) in the feet and ankles
Shortness of breath
While these may seem harmless, they could indicate heart issues if:
Symptoms appear after the 20th week of pregnancy
Shortness of breath occurs even while resting
Breathing difficulties wake you up at night
Symptoms interfere with daily activities
Certain signs are not typical during pregnancy and may signal serious heart conditions, including:
Chest pain (angina)
Blurred vision
Persistent heart palpitations lasting over 30 seconds
Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
Fainting (syncope
Get Your Heart Checked
Consult Top Doctors For Heart Disease in Pregnancy
Dr. S B Bhattacharyya
Cardiologist
22 Years • MBBS, MD(General Medicine),DM (Cardiology)
Kolkata
Gariaheart Clinic, Kolkata
Dr. Amit. A. Bharadiya
Cardiologist
12 Years • MBBS, MD General Medicine, DNB Cardiology, FSCAI
Maharashtra
Surabhi Hospital, Maharashtra, Maharashtra
Dr. Jayarajah Mariappan
Cardiologist
45 Years • MBBS, MD(GEN MEDICINE), DM(CARDIOLOGY)
Chennai
Sooriya Hospital, Chennai
Dr. Sumanta Chatterjee
Cardiologist
12 Years • MBBS,MD General Medicine,DM Cardiology
Kolkata
HealthYou Speciality Clinic & Diagnostics., Kolkata
(25+ Patients)
Dr. Mangesh Danej
Cardiologist
8 Years • MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DNB (Cardiology)
Pune
Dr Danej clinic, Pune
(375+ Patients)
Consult A Cardiologist
Dr. S B Bhattacharyya
Cardiologist
22 Years • MBBS, MD(General Medicine),DM (Cardiology)
Kolkata
Gariaheart Clinic, Kolkata
Dr. Amit. A. Bharadiya
Cardiologist
12 Years • MBBS, MD General Medicine, DNB Cardiology, FSCAI
Maharashtra
Surabhi Hospital, Maharashtra, Maharashtra
Dr. Jayarajah Mariappan
Cardiologist
45 Years • MBBS, MD(GEN MEDICINE), DM(CARDIOLOGY)
Chennai
Sooriya Hospital, Chennai
Dr. Sumanta Chatterjee
Cardiologist
12 Years • MBBS,MD General Medicine,DM Cardiology
Kolkata
HealthYou Speciality Clinic & Diagnostics., Kolkata
(25+ Patients)
Dr. Mangesh Danej
Cardiologist
8 Years • MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DNB (Cardiology)
Pune
Dr Danej clinic, Pune
(375+ Patients)
