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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Feeling great, but cardiopathic
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
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Feeling great, but cardiopathic
by GretchenP, Apr 28, 2004 12:00AM
I am a 38 year old female, mother of nine children ranging from 6 months to 11 years. I am in great overall health: weight/BMI is good, cholesterol is good, attitude is good. I have been monitoring my blood pressure since July ’01 when I gave birth. It stayed at 145/85 without medication until February ’03 at which time I started on 200 mg of Labetalol to keep it at the same level. While in labor in November ’03, my blood pressure started to rise, and I was given increases of Labetalol until the baby arrived. Since then, my medication has been increased gradually to 2400mg/day. BP is now consistantly at 155-165/75-85.
My echocardiogram showed mild left ventricular dilation with other chambers normal. Normal left ventricular wall thickness with global hypokinesis and estimated left ventricular EF of 40%. There was mild mitral regurgitation, trivial tricuspid regurgitation, and aortic insufficiency. No evidence of valvular stenosis.
The cardiologist has said that my cardiomyopathy is probably related to the hypertension. But that viral etiology cannot be excluded, and that cardiomyopathy in pregnancy is a very strong possibility.
I feel great, with no symptoms of heart failure. The cardiologist would like to put me on ACE inhibitors, but my husband and I are having a hard time with the issue of sexual sterilization. Is there any way around this, as the ACE inhibitors would produce a very deformed fetus should I conceive? What other questions should I be asking my doctor?
Thank you.
My echocardiogram showed mild left ventricular dilation with other chambers normal. Normal left ventricular wall thickness with global hypokinesis and estimated left ventricular EF of 40%. There was mild mitral regurgitation, trivial tricuspid regurgitation, and aortic insufficiency. No evidence of valvular stenosis.
The cardiologist has said that my cardiomyopathy is probably related to the hypertension. But that viral etiology cannot be excluded, and that cardiomyopathy in pregnancy is a very strong possibility.
I feel great, with no symptoms of heart failure. The cardiologist would like to put me on ACE inhibitors, but my husband and I are having a hard time with the issue of sexual sterilization. Is there any way around this, as the ACE inhibitors would produce a very deformed fetus should I conceive? What other questions should I be asking my doctor?
Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Apr 28, 2004 12:00AM
, Apr 28, 2004 12:00AM
Gretchen,
With 9 kids, you will be able to field your own entire baseball team!
With an impaired ejection fraction and hypertension, an ACE inhibitor would be an important drug to consider. I would not rule it out solely on the notion that you may get pregnant as it could be stopped at that time.You blood pressure is still too high and will need better control.
If your cardiomyopathy is preganancy related, it could worsen with future pregancies so we do not recommend repeat pregancies. There are alot of options for birth control that are not necessarily sterilization. I would discuss these options with your physicians.
9 children is alot. I would consider methods to prevent furture preganancies very important as you will need to keep up your good health in the future to be there for them.
With 9 kids, you will be able to field your own entire baseball team!
With an impaired ejection fraction and hypertension, an ACE inhibitor would be an important drug to consider. I would not rule it out solely on the notion that you may get pregnant as it could be stopped at that time.You blood pressure is still too high and will need better control.
If your cardiomyopathy is preganancy related, it could worsen with future pregancies so we do not recommend repeat pregancies. There are alot of options for birth control that are not necessarily sterilization. I would discuss these options with your physicians.
9 children is alot. I would consider methods to prevent furture preganancies very important as you will need to keep up your good health in the future to be there for them.
I hope that I havent been to harsh but please think about what your doing.wmac
It is well known that pregnancy DOES add a load or strain on our bodies for the duration of our pregnancies nad nursing, as well as a while afterwards until we recuperate. That said, there is no need to be unduly concerned about these physical stresses and strains on a young, healthy body. Most folks are able to fully recover, and you can get additional guidance specific to YOUR situation from your doctors: primary care physician and the rest of your medical team.
It is not uncommon to have heart rates and blood presssure increased late in pregnancy or in labor and delivery. I would work with your docs to optimize your health and follow their recommendations about YOUR risks in future pregnancies to make decisions that are best for YOUR health.
Multiple babies in a short period of time is very depleting for a woman's body. Having fewer children over a longer period of time should pose minimal health risks for mom or babies.
Starion