Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Post Pregnancy Arrhythmia
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Post Pregnancy Arrhythmia
by Lombard, Nov 18, 2003 12:00AM
What a terrific forum! I am 41 with a history of VSD repair at age 9. About 6 years ago I was diagnosed with moderate TR, occasional PVCs, PACs and SVTs (all caught with Holter, ekg or echo). I have been told that the arrhythmia is likely related to the TR. 3 months ago I had a baby and my heart seemed to tolerate the pregnancy well with the exception of extreme fatigue. I am on no meds. My questions follow:
1. I experienced an increase in PVCs, PACs and SVTs during and immediately following my pregnancy. They seem to have subsided somewhat but I still get runs that drive me crazy. How long does it take the heart to return to pre-pregnancy state? (I am due for evaluation at 6 months post partum.)
2. When I experience SVTs, my pulse hovers at around 100 for a few seconds to as long as 20 - 30 minutes. Can SVTs cause me to feel light headed? Occasionally I do and I am never sure if the SVTs are giving me syncope symptoms or if it is anxiety related.
3. Are there studies that indicate whether or not a woman’s menstrual cycle contributes to arrhythmia? I experience an obvious increase in PVCs especially about one week before my period. Can the increase in progesterone play a part? I also seemed to have had more arrhythmia during the 1st trimester when I was using progesterone suppositories for a month.
4. I have been told that the heart tolerates TR well and that in some cases it may be a long time before valve repair/replacement is needed. I have experienced no symptoms of right-sided heart failure even in pregnancy. Without asking you to pull out your crystal ball, can you advise your experience with TR and when surgery is warranted?
Thank you for your time. Sorry for the length of this but thought I’d throw it all in since it’s difficult to get to post sometimes.
1. I experienced an increase in PVCs, PACs and SVTs during and immediately following my pregnancy. They seem to have subsided somewhat but I still get runs that drive me crazy. How long does it take the heart to return to pre-pregnancy state? (I am due for evaluation at 6 months post partum.)
2. When I experience SVTs, my pulse hovers at around 100 for a few seconds to as long as 20 - 30 minutes. Can SVTs cause me to feel light headed? Occasionally I do and I am never sure if the SVTs are giving me syncope symptoms or if it is anxiety related.
3. Are there studies that indicate whether or not a woman’s menstrual cycle contributes to arrhythmia? I experience an obvious increase in PVCs especially about one week before my period. Can the increase in progesterone play a part? I also seemed to have had more arrhythmia during the 1st trimester when I was using progesterone suppositories for a month.
4. I have been told that the heart tolerates TR well and that in some cases it may be a long time before valve repair/replacement is needed. I have experienced no symptoms of right-sided heart failure even in pregnancy. Without asking you to pull out your crystal ball, can you advise your experience with TR and when surgery is warranted?
Thank you for your time. Sorry for the length of this but thought I’d throw it all in since it’s difficult to get to post sometimes.
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Nov 18, 2003 12:00AM
, Nov 18, 2003 12:00AM
lombard,
thanks for the post. COngrats of the baby.
1. Its very common to have increasing arrhythmias during preganancy. I would be interested in how much SVT you have on your holter. Some are ammenable to ablation.
2. In the setting of normal heart function, most people tolerated SVT quite well, and only in the setting of very fast heart rates do they truly black out. Your syptoms (symptoms) are called presyncope if they are related to the heart rate if you feel lightheaded and syncope if you actually black out.
3. Yes, its common for arrythmias symptoms to increase with menstrual cycling. The mechanism isnt exaclty clear.
4. The heart tolerates even severe TR quite well. Surgery is also controversial and generally is accepted in very severe cases or when patients are undergoing other open heart surgeries. You should have regular followup with your cardiologist and talk to him about endocarditis prophylaxis.
good luck
thanks for the post. COngrats of the baby.
1. Its very common to have increasing arrhythmias during preganancy. I would be interested in how much SVT you have on your holter. Some are ammenable to ablation.
2. In the setting of normal heart function, most people tolerated SVT quite well, and only in the setting of very fast heart rates do they truly black out. Your syptoms (symptoms) are called presyncope if they are related to the heart rate if you feel lightheaded and syncope if you actually black out.
3. Yes, its common for arrythmias symptoms to increase with menstrual cycling. The mechanism isnt exaclty clear.
4. The heart tolerates even severe TR quite well. Surgery is also controversial and generally is accepted in very severe cases or when patients are undergoing other open heart surgeries. You should have regular followup with your cardiologist and talk to him about endocarditis prophylaxis.
good luck
Member Comments (2)
by skippintime, Nov 18, 2003 12:00AM
To: lombard
I also have a increase in arrhythmia almost exactly one week before my period is to start. I can almost tell you my period will start because of this and I am irregular. This has been going on for about 6 years. Neither my normal doctor or Cardio have aggreed with me on the corelation of this. My heart also beats extremely slow the day before my period is to start.
