New Delhi: Pregnancy is considered a beautiful phase in a woman’s life. Her body undergoes many changes, preparing to protect and feed the growing baby. Her heart goes through major changes too-the cardiovascular system works harder than usual in a pregnant woman, the blood volume rises by almost 50%, resulting in the heart pumping faster, and the blood vessels widen. As these changes can be considered normal, it puts extra stress on the heart.
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr. Triveni Arun Akkiraju, Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Laparoscopy & High-risk pregnancy, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Hebbal, shared some tips for new moms to protect their heart and the baby’s heart as well.
Why is cardiac health important during pregnancy?
Managing maternal cardiac health is both urgent and complex in India, where congenital heart disease survivors are increasingly having children and rheumatic heart disease still predominates. Nearly 70% of pregnant women in South Asia have rheumatic disease, and 1.5% have heart disease, according to a recent systematic review. These women have a higher risk of maternal and foetal death, preterm birth, low birth weight babies, and emergency caesarean sections.
In the first trimester, the heart starts to increase blood circulation, and by the third trimester, the heart rate increases by approximately 10 to 20 beats per minute. For women who already have health issues like hypertension, diabetes, or congenital heart disease, these sudden changes in the functioning of the heart can be challenging. Pregnancy also comes with other risks, like gestational hypertension, which can directly harm the heart even for those who don’t have any pre-existing heart problems.
Precautions to take during pregnancy
A pregnant woman should have a routine prenatal visit to ensure that their heart is in a healthy state. Monitoring symptoms like blood pressure, weight gain, and other uncommon symptoms like swelling, palpitations, or discomfort in the chest. Women who have a history of heart issues are recommended to get a specialized cardiac screening, which would help in the early detection of any complications.
Pregnant women need to have a nutritious diet as it helps in maintaining heart health during pregnancy. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are the crucial elements of a balanced diet. Omega-3 fatty acid-containing foods like flaxseeds, walnuts, or even fatty fish (after consulting a doctor) will help in promoting the development of foetal brain and the maternal heart. Decreasing consumption of processed and fried food will help pregnant women maintain a lower cholesterol level in maintaining optimum body weight, and reduce excessive salt helps in preventing water retention and high BP. And the main thing is to stay hydrated, as dehydration can put extra strain on the functioning of the heart.
Exercising regularly is advised to be safe and healthy during pregnancy unless the doctor recommends otherwise. Simple exercises like walking, prenatal yoga, or swimming will help in strengthening heart health, promote circulation, and also help in weight management. It also reduces stress levels, which is beneficial for heart health. They should also see to it that they don’t engage in strenuous exercises or workouts and always get advice from the doctor before beginning or continuing any new routine.
Concerning signs to watch out for
Heart health is also impacted by emotional well-being. Managing mental health through meditation, deep breathing, and interactions with friends and family eases mental stress. Getting approximately 7 to 9 hours of sleep is essential for a pregnant woman, which can help them in recovering from the day’s workload.
Some signs, such as shortness of breath, an increase in fatigue, feeling dizzy, chest discomfort, swelling in the legs beyond any regular pregnancy change, should not be ignored. They might be signs of heart complications that require treatment right away. Timely checkups and diagnosis can prevent any kind of serious risks both for the mother and the baby. Smoking and consumption of alcohol, intake of excessive caffeine are strictly not recommended during pregnancy, because these narrow blood vessels and increase the BP. Substitute these with a healthy diet, like drinking fruit-infused water and herbal teas.
Caring for the heart during pregnancy supports the well-being of both mother and baby. By making mindful choices, scheduling regular checkups, and staying informed, you nurture two lives while preparing for a stronger future together.