Common Heart Conditions and Pregnancy
Pregnancy adds extra strain on a woman’s heart and blood vessels, which could lead to cardiovascular as well as other health problems.
Pregnancy's metabolic demands — “nature’s stress test” — can expose heart issues that weren't known before. This happens in part because the body is carrying more weight. But changing hormones also play a role.
Ailments that arise during pregnancy may have lasting effects on women’s long-term health.
Pregnancy-Related Health Conditions
Understanding what these conditions mean for your heart.
Chronic Hypertension
Chronic hypertension is high blood pressure that is diagnosed before pregnancy or up to 20 weeks during pregnancy.
Gestational Hypertension
Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is high blood pressure during pregnancy plus additional health indicators like protein in the urine.
Eclampsia
Eclampsia is a severe complication of preeclampsia that can cause seizures.
HELLP Syndrome
HELLP syndrome stands for Hemolysis Elevated liver enzymes Low platelet count and is a serious complication of preeclampsia.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women who did not have diabetes before they were pregnant.
Stroke and Pregnancy
When blood supply to part of the brain is blocked, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, a stroke may occur.
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an uncommon form of heart failure that happens during the last month of pregnancy or up to five months after giving birth.
Congenital Heart Defects
With appropriate medical care and treatment, many women born with heart defects can have a healthy pregnancy.
Share Your Experience with Us
Help us better understand the impact pregnancy has on a woman’s health – and heart – by taking the newest survey from Research Goes Red. Whether you are pregnant, considering becoming pregnant or have already had children, we would like to hear from you. Join Research Goes Red today and take the new Reproductive Health Survey.
The Support Network: We're Here for You
Day or night, we're here to moms-to-be, new moms or veteran moms dealing with a heart condition or stroke. We’ve created the Support Network Maternal Health Forum for you: ask questions, get support and share your journey with women who've been there.
