Peripartum cardiomyopathy: Overview
Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a heart condition that can happen during pregnancy or soon after childbirth. Your heart muscle stretches more than normal and becomes weak. This can cause problems, like heart failure. This means that your heart can't pump the blood your body needs. Heart failure can cause serious problems and sometimes death.
Treatment can relieve your symptoms and help your heart work better. You might take medicine.
You and your doctor will work together to decide on a treatment plan for you.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (say "pair-uh-part-uhm kar-dee-oh-my-AWP-uh-thee") is a heart condition that some people get during pregnancy or soon after childbirth. It happens when the heart muscle stretches more than normal and becomes weak. It may cause problems, such as heart failure. This means your heart can't pump enough blood to the rest of the body. Blood can get backed up in your lungs and legs.
Symptoms may appear during late pregnancy. They may also show up in the months after childbirth. As the heart muscle weakens, you may feel short of breath. Other symptoms include feeling very tired, having swelling in the legs, and having trouble breathing while lying down. You may also feel faint or dizzy. And you may have chest pain, a rapid heart rate, or a cough.
Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and helping your heart work better. It may include taking medicines.
What are the symptoms of peripartum cardiomyopathy?
Symptoms include shortness of breath and swelling in the legs. You may also feel very tired and feel faint or dizzy. Other symptoms include chest pain, a rapid heart rate, a cough, and trouble breathing when you lie down.
How is peripartum cardiomyopathy treated?
Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and helping your heart work better. Treatment may include taking medicines. You and your doctor will work together to find a treatment plan that works best for you.
Preventing problems from peripartum cardiomyopathy
You may not be able to prevent cardiomyopathy during your pregnancy. But you can take steps to lower your chances of having problems from this heart condition.
- Watch for symptoms of cardiomyopathy late in your pregnancy.
If you have swelling in your legs, feel very tired, have trouble breathing, or have other symptoms, tell your doctor right away.
- Share your health history with your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you have heart disease or a family history of it. Also tell them if you have high blood pressure. And tell your doctor if you had high blood pressure or preeclampsia during a past pregnancy.
- Trust yourself, and be direct.
You are the expert on your body. If something doesn't feel right, get help. If you don't feel like you're being heard, say so. You can say, “I know that pregnancy has risks. I want to be sure I'm getting good care.” You could also ask a friend or family member to help you talk to your doctor. For some people, seeing a different doctor may be an option.
- Try to be active most days.
Talk to your doctor before you start an exercise program.
- Eat a variety of healthy foods.
These include vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and whole grains. Also eat foods low in sodium.
- Stay at a healthy weight for you.
Talk to your doctor about how much weight you should gain during pregnancy.
- Avoid smoking or using tobacco.
If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor.
- Avoid using alcohol or illegal drugs, such as cocaine.
If you think you may have a problem with alcohol or drug use, talk to your doctor.
- Take your medicines as prescribed.
Let your doctor know if you are having problems with medicines.
- Be sure to go to all doctor appointments.
When you are pregnant and during the months after delivery, regular checkups help the doctor find and treat problems early.
How is peripartum cardiomyopathy diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and your past health. They may ask about your family history. You will have a physical exam. You will also have tests, such as an echocardiogram (echo) and an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). You may have a chest X-ray and an ultrasound of your heart.
How can you care for yourself when you have peripartum cardiomyopathy?
Take your medicines as prescribed. Let your doctor know if you're having problems with medicines. Be sure to go to all doctor appointments. This will help your doctor find and treat problems early. Eat healthy, low-sodium foods. Talk to your doctor about what activities are safe for you. Avoid tobacco and alcohol.
What increases your risk for peripartum cardiomyopathy?
Your risk is higher if you:
- Have high blood pressure or preeclampsia.
- Had high blood pressure or preeclampsia during a past pregnancy.
- Are pregnant with twins or more.
- Are age 30 or older.
- Smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs.
- Are very overweight.
- Had cardiomyopathy in a past pregnancy or have a family history of it.
- Take or have taken medicines to treat preterm labor.
Pregnancy-related heart problems are more common and more likely to cause death in people who are Black, American Indian, or Alaska Native. There is no simple reason why. Less access to good health care and differences in how patients are listened to and treated are part of it. Other health, economic, and social issues, including racism, also increase the risk for these groups. If you're a member of one of these groups, share your concerns with your doctor and talk about what you both can do to avoid problems.
What is peripartum cardiomyopathy?
Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a condition that some people get during pregnancy or soon after childbirth. The heart muscle stretches more than normal and becomes weak. It may cause problems, such as heart failure. This means your heart can't pump the blood your body needs. It can be long-term and sometimes causes death.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You have symptoms of sudden heart failure. These may include:
- Severe trouble breathing.
- A fast or irregular heartbeat.
- Coughing up pink, foamy mucus.
- You passed out.
- You have chest pain.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have new or changed symptoms of heart failure, such as:
- New or increased shortness of breath.
- New or worse swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet.
- Sudden weight gain, such as more than 2 to 3 pounds in a day or 5 pounds in a week. (Your doctor may suggest a different range of weight gain.)
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded or like you may faint.
- Feeling so tired or weak that you cannot do your usual activities.
- Not sleeping well. Shortness of breath wakes you at night. You need extra pillows to prop yourself up to breathe easier.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.
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