Heart/Pregnancy

[Mis]

I have not been diagnosed with heart problems, but have had an ekg and holter and everything was normal. All because of a flutter feeling I occasionally get in my throat and somtimes I can feel a "stronger" heart beat. Pulse is normal. my question is if I become pregnant is this gonna cause more problems if their is a problem, we just havent found?

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Pregnancy puts somewhat of an increased workload on the heart due to increased cardiac output state and then increased stress during delivery.  However, for someone with a normal heart there is very little risk.  Your doctor can advise you as to your individual risk.

[Mario]

HI THERE MISSY, I AM GLAD TO HEAR THAT ALL IS WELL WITH YOU. IT MUST BE A RELIEF TO KNOW THAT THERE IS NO UNDERLYING HEART PROBLEM. PALPITATIONS ALTHOUGH AT TIMES COULD BE VERY BOTHERSOME ARE SELDOM TREATED BY THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY. THE BEST WE COULD DO IS TO MAKE LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO TRY AND MINIMIZE THEM. STAY AWAY FROM CAFFIENE, NICOTINE AND FATIGUE AND STRESS. SOME WOMEN DO EXPERIENCE AN INCREASE IN PALPITATIONS DURING PREGNANCY. FIRST THE HORMONAL CHANGE IN A WOMENS BODY DURING PREGNANCY WILL NOT HELP. ALSO YOUR BODY WILL HAVE TO ADJUST TO THE PREGNANCY, THE GROWING BABY WILL OCCUPY MORE AND MORE SPACE IN YOUR TUMMY PUSHING EVERYTHING UP TOWARDS YOUR HEART. THE HEART MIGHT FEEL CRAMPED AND YOU MIGHT FEEL THE EXTRA BEATS MORE. HOWEVER IF YOU HAVE BEEN CHECKED OUT AND ALL IS O.K. ENJOY IT AND TAKE IT EASY....SPEAK TO YOU SOON ....MARIO

[Allison]

I am 15 weeks pregnant and experiencing arrythmia similar to Missy. This has just started - I wonder if it's related to pregnancy or stress (life is a little stressful right now). Glad to hear that someone else has the same symptoms and I'm not the only one. I'm going to have it checked out by my Doctor this week.

[Linda B]

I am not pregnant but I do notice that around the time of my period my extra beats are noticeably worse- I know there is no evidence that hormonal fluctuations cause arrythmias but in my case I feel there is a definite pattern.

[Chritine]

I too experienced a rapid heartbeat, felt in my throat during pregnancy.  I only experienced it during my first trimester and while I was actually giving birth.  After delivery I have experienced the same type of palpitations every single month right after ovulation and up until menstruation.  I have had every single test know to man and all come up fine.  My doctor has suggested that, obviously, it is related to my hormones and has prescribed Vitamin B6 for now. It is the same vitamin that many women take to cure their pre-mentrual syndromes.  I have been told that this is probably a condition that I will have to live with and it has taken me two years to accept this.  Stay away from the obvious (coffee, cigarettes, alcohol) and avoid stress as much as you can. My personal opinion is that pregancy can aggravate the condition, your hormones are in flux, but as soon as they stabilize so do the palpitations.

[stacey]

I have had sudden bursts of heart beats for at least 12 years and I'm 29. My heart will start racing(which seems uncontrollable). This can happen at anytime such as during exercising,  after exercising or sometimes if I am doing nothing at all. This usually happens maybe 2-4 times a month. When it does happen I immediately sit down where ever I am and it really scares me. I finally asked my primary physican and he ordered a 24 hour moniter which I did not think I had an episode but they found a heart beat of 152 during my sleep. They told me it was sinus tacharcadia and to take a beta blocker. When I wanted to go to a cardiologist they ordered blood test to check my iron and thyroid as well as an echo.  My echo said mild regurgitaion and my lab work said my calicium was 10.4 which was slightly higher than they like to see. Could this calcium thing have any thing to do with these two problems or can one be causing the other? Thanks

[Wendy]

Hi there!  I've had similar problems and although I don't know anything about calcium, I wanted to be sure you knew that Sudephed, Actifed, (decongestants) can worsen this tremendously.  I had this pretty bad with a heart rate of 170 during pregnancy before someone told me (yesterday) to stay away from them.  So far, I haven't had any more symptoms so hopefully this will make a difference in my case.  Good luck with yours and don't be afraid to call your doctor and ask him specifically about the calcium.

[Heather-Arrythmias and Hormones]

I've noticed that my PVC's and PAC's (arrythmias) are worse right before my period starts!  Isn't this weird.  It must have something to do with hormones.  When I'm pregnant though all my arrythmias stop completely.  Just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.

Heather-27, HCM

[debbie]

I was recently diagnosed with SVT by a cardiologist, he has prescribed a beta blocker. I am 16 weeks pregnant. I have read that this medication causes low heart rate in the baby and low birth weight. I am considering not taking the medication for these reasons.since he says this SVT is not lifethreating. I have not spoken with my OB as of yet , my appt. is in 2 days. Any suggestions, or anyone who has this similar problem?

[cherie]

my daughter is almost 30 weeks pregnant..she has the flu severe..and the dr did blood test..he rang her to say the "enr test were abnormal"...can you explain what that is please...she also has a heart murmer..but being pregnant she cant have antibiotics...***@****

[marie]

I am 30 weeks pregnant and experiencing rapid heart beat, swelling of hands/feet, shortness of breath and a strange sensation/pressure in the middle of my back. My blood pressure is 110/60 and I am slightly anemic. I have been diagnosed with a systolic heart murmur so far. I went for a chest x-ray today and an echo next week. I was diagnosed 10 years ago with SVT's and for a short time was on Inderol and Tenormin. The symptoms went away and then a few years later returned. I was then diagnosed with panic attacks. I believe pregnancy has increased the stress on my heart. Heart disease is prominent in my family and this must not be ignored. I am seeking the consult of a cardiologist. I just wanted to share how intricate the diagnosis of heart conditions can be. Listen to your body and get second opinions.
Thanks for listening!

[tracy]

I've read all the above comments and share MANY of these things.  I have IHSS or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy- are there any woman out there who have this condition that have gone through a pregnancy??  Very hard to find information on this!  I'm on Atenelol and worried about my baby.  I have also suffered with palpitations and have gotten them under control with Magnesium (truly a wonder supplement!!!) Please email me anyone with any information on my request.

[tracy]

My email address is ***@**** for the above question on IHSS or Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

[Rachel]

I am 19 weeks pregnant with my second child. During my first preganacy I was sent to the ER with a rapid heart rate of 212 beats per minute. They did EKG and blood tests, all came out fine. The rapid heart rate stopped when they told me to 'bare down'. I didn't have any after my daughter was born. During the summer I was prgnant, had two episodes, but that pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. I had another EKG and blood tests, everything was again fine. This is my third pregnancy and have now had three episodes on rapid heart rate. My doctor knows about this and has offered suggestions of how to stop it when it occurs. I can control the rapid heart rate by putting my face in VERY cold water. My mom had this during all of her pregnancies, and ONLY when she was pregnant. So far, that is the case with me. I can't find any info on this and no one else I know has had this happen.

[Linda]

I started getting SVT's during my second pregnancy and they haven't gone away since and it has been 8 years. I don't get them all the time but I don't care what ANY doctore says there is a definite connection between hormones and SVT's. I'm not saying that hormones are the only cause of SVT's but I KNOW that in the case of many women they are the cause. I have talked with so many women who had SVT's begin during pregnancy that never went away it is unbelievable. Imagine how much money could be saved in the long run if someone would just research this condition. There is nothing like sitting at home relaxing watching T.V. when boom...the heart goes from 68 (my resting pulse) to 238 instantly. I've been through all the heart tests... I'm thinking of asking my qynecologist to check my hormone levels. I'm sure in the age of HMO's he will say it is a waste of do so but I refuse to believe there is not a connection. Why are so many women developing SVT's during pregnancy and in so many cases they never go away after that? If anyone has anything to say or any information, please contact me at ***@****
Thanks!

[Becky]

I am 20 weeks pregnant with my second child and have been diagnosed with PVCs.  They really scarred me to death at first but after haveing all the usual tests done (ekg, echo, blood, and holter monitor) they said the PVCs were not frequent enough to do anything about.  This all started when I was about 11 weeks along.  I am hoping that they will stop after the baby is born.  I notice them much more if I am under any kind of stress, when I am relaxing and really bad if I am sexually aroused. (I told my husband we should have had sex when I was wearing the holter monitor)  Good luck!