Heart Disease
Are you at risk for heart disease after having a baby?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, including those who are pregnant or have just had a baby.
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Risk
Any woman can develop heart disease during pregnancy or after delivery. You're at higher risk if you:
- Have a history of heart disease
- Are over 40 years old
- Are obese
- Have high blood pressure
- Are African-American
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Symptoms
These symptoms of heart disease may occur during pregnancy, especially late pregnancy and up to five months after delivery:
- Extreme swelling or unusual weight gain
- Extreme fatigue
- Fainting
- A cough that doesn't go away
- Chest pain or fast heartbeat
- Severe shortness of breath at rest (especially when lying down)
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Conditions
Conditions that can increase your risk of developing heart disease over your lifetime are:
- High blood pressure in pregnancy (Preeclampsia)
- Heart failure during pregnancy or within five months after delivery
- Diabetes
What You Should Do
If you experience symptoms of heart disease:
- Trust your instincts and tell your obstetrician (OB) or primary care doctor.
- If the heart disease symptoms occur within five months of delivery, make sure to mention you were recently pregnant.
- Obtain a second opinion if you feel you are not being heard.
Ways to Manage Your Heart Disease
To prevent future problems:
Before Pregnancy
- Maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat healthy foods and stop smoking.
- Make sure you are using medication that is safe to use during pregnancy when you want to get pregnant or going off birth control.
During Pregnancy
- Go to your prenatal care visits.
- Bring a support person to your appointments.
After Pregnancy
- Breastfeed your baby, which lowers your risk for high blood pressure and heart disease.
- Go to your postpartum visits.
- Give a copy of your prenatal records to your primary care doctor.
- Monitor your heart condition annually.