If pregnant women experience symptoms of heart failure, they should pay more attention because it may be early-stage heart failure, and the symptoms include mild chest tightness and palpitations after activity. Even when resting, the heart rate can reach more than 110 beats per minute, and they often wake up in the middle of the night due to chest tightness. So, why do pregnant women have heart failure?
Pregnant women have a strong metabolism, and the total amount of blood involved in circulation increases to 30%. The enlargement of the uterus causes the diaphragm to rise and the heart to shift, ultimately affecting reflux and increasing the burden on the heart. This is the cause of heart failure in pregnant women. During pregnancy, the total blood volume increases by 30-40%.
During childbirth, the burden on the pregnant woman's heart increases significantly. Every time a pregnant woman contracts, approximately 300-500ml of blood enters the circulation through the uterine wall. In addition to uterine contractions during the second stage of labor, the abdominal muscles will contract together with the skeletal muscles, and in addition to exerting force during labor, there will be exhalation, resulting in increased pulmonary circulation pressure.
When pregnant women give birth, the burden on the heart increases, which is the most likely to cause heart failure. In summary, pregnant women have the heaviest burden on their hearts at 32 weeks of pregnancy, during delivery, and on the third day after delivery, which is the peak period of heart failure occurrence. If heart failure occurs, it is important to seek medical treatment promptly, as severe conditions may prevent pregnancy.
