Palpitations and Pregnancy

[smc246]

I am 34y.o and five weeks pregnant with my first baby.  I have a history of anxiety and palpitations.  In the past four years I have had an extensive cardiac work up including a cardiolite stress 3/07 which was normal.  My most recent holter caught one run of nsvt-9 beats long along with 114 pac/pvc's, and my echo shows very mild mvp.  I have noticed an increase in my palpitations and I am very concerned.  What effect will this have on my pregnancy??  If I have to can I take medication for this with out risking my pregnancy??  I have been told several times that I have my heart is structurally normal but with each palpitation I get freaked out!!!  Thanks for your help.

[Forum-M.D.-MJM]

Hello and cogratulations on your pregnancy.

What effect will this have on my pregnancy??

If you have an extensive negative cardiac work up, there will be no effect on your pregnancy from palpitations.

If I have to can I take medication for this with out risking my pregnancy??

It is always better to avoid taking medications unless you absolutely have to.  There is no risk to fetus from palpitations.


I have been told several times that I have my heart is structurally normal but with each palpitation I get freaked out!!!

It is very common to have increased palpitations with pregnancy.  I am sure other people with chime with this.  You need to reassure your self that you have a normal heart and that you are fine.  I wish you a wonderful pregnancy.  Congratulations again and thanks for posting.

[Fionajnz]

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I am the Mom of three children aged 7, 4 and 1yo.  I also had pre existing issues including hypertension and a blood clotting disorder before getting pregnant.  

There are alot of hormonal changes happening as your body adjusts to its newly pregnant state and it does tend to be a worrying time when things like palpitations etc occur more frequently than you are used too.  However, trust me with your normal work up so recently, you will be just fine.  Plus if morning sickness hits, your palpitations will be the last thing on your mind :-).

Medications are rated for safety in pregnancy categories A, B C and D then I think Z.  A is like vitamins etc, B have been studied and found to be safe in pregnancy - they tend to be older drugs with a good safety record, category C it comes down to a risk vs benefit for the Mom (lots of the newer drugs are in this category) they are often safe, but just do not have the studies to back up the presumption of safety because pharmaceutical companies don't like to test drugs on pg women (I have taken category C drugs during pgs when the risk to the baby was less than the benefit for me - like during an asthma attack), category D drugs are like thalidomide, which is known to be toxic to fetuses, and I think there is a category Z and they are absolutely contraindicated for pregnancy, I do not know an example but I suspect things like chemo drugs fall into this category.

I did actually develop a very serious heart condition in my third trimester of my last pregnancy and post partum, but the likelihood of that happening to anyone (like winning the lottery backwards!) is very, very slim and was to my understanding probably not related to my pre existing conditions.  The things to watch for and report as you progress through the pg, are ongoing morning sickness (beyond 14 wks or so), edema of your limbs, shortness of breath esp in the late second and third trimester, consistently rapid heart rate at rest (over 120 bpm) (this and SOB were the symptoms I reported but that were not investigated and were in fact symptoms of my heart condition).  

Palps are more common in pg and can be aggravated if you do not keep your fluids up esp if you are having morning sickness and if you are very anemic.  Plus your blood volume changes significantly so you can find changes in your blood pressure occurring and times when you are more lightheaded than normal.  The important thing is to reassure yourself via your OB office, they are used to lots of questions by phone.  Tell them you have an issue with anxiety and they should work with you, managing it as you progress.  It may be fun and reassuring for you to join an online pg group, like at parentsplace, network54 or similar.  There are lots of online pregnancy support grps out there and its always fun to check in and find others in the same boat with the same concerns.

Congrats again.  Hope that info helps.

Fiona

[Pum]

They are very common in pregnancy and first showed up with me in early pregnancy.  Mainly when I bent over.  I found eating first thing in the morning and bending by bending knees rather than at the waist, helped a lot.  Cut out coffee too (if you have any).  

It is an exciting time for you, enjoy the new experiences and be confident they are temporary and will result in the best fun you will ever have.

[spratty]

hi im 20 yrs old, female, and 30 weeks pregnant. i experienced palpitations on and off since i was 17 but i was about 8 months free of them before i got pregnant. when i fell pregnant sure enough they started back even worse. I was having panic attaks due to this and i have had a rough pregnancy because of these things.i have had a few of the 24 hr tapes during my pregnancy which showed a few pvc's and pac's. I have recently seen a cardiologist who assures me i have a normal heart and they they cannot harm me and that they will probably fade again after pregnancy. However i still get scared when i get them, i dnt mind the odd single one its when i have loads in a row. This has ruined my pregnancy as i live in fear. I am constantly counting down the days and i cnt believe that i have made it to 30 weeks without going mad. This probably doesnt make u feel any better but just thought id let u know ur not the only one and i hope u can prevent these from ruining ur pregnancy! Good Luck x

[anacyde]

I had an increase in palpitations and supraventricular tachycardia with both pregnancies.  You'll do fine :)  Congratulations!

[aussie mum]

Hi can you PLEASE tell me about your pregnancy with palps/svt. What was it like pre/post pregnancy ?? I'm sorry to be personnal but i too am looking for some kind of hope in-regards to being pregnet and having them.

[cmolloy611]

I have SVT (sinus ventricular tachychardia) and had increased heart palpatations during pregnancy. My baby was healthy and the palpatations did not do any damage to my heart. I am sure you will be fine as well.

Good luck to you!