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Pregnancy (Expert Forum)
Pregnancy induced Arythmia?
Answered by
Keith Downing, MD - Obstetrics, Gynecology
MA
This forum is for questions and support regarding pregnancy issues such as: Alcohol/Drugs, Bleeding, Caesarean Section, Childbirth, Diabetes, Depression, Fetal Monitoring, Genetic Testing, Hormonal Changes, Labor, Lamaze, Morning Sickness, Nutrition, Parenting, Prenatal Care, Weight gain.
Pregnancy induced Arythmia?
by fuzybunnyslippers, Oct 21, 2007 10:18AM
Hi Dr. Downing,
I will of course be telling my OB this at my appointment on Tuesday, but wanted to see if I could get some insight before then.
The last 4-5 nights when I lay down to go to sleep, I can really feel a cardiac arythmia. My husband is an EMT and took my pulse (we also listened to my heart with a fetal doppler). My heart seems to skip a beat every now and then (duration of about 1/2 hour, then no more skips). We took my pulse & bp and it is 121/74 P74 (I am 5'10, 294lbs, 37yo, 23w5d pg). It doesn't seem to happen during the day - or at least I don't notice it during the day.
Any insight would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
I will of course be telling my OB this at my appointment on Tuesday, but wanted to see if I could get some insight before then.
The last 4-5 nights when I lay down to go to sleep, I can really feel a cardiac arythmia. My husband is an EMT and took my pulse (we also listened to my heart with a fetal doppler). My heart seems to skip a beat every now and then (duration of about 1/2 hour, then no more skips). We took my pulse & bp and it is 121/74 P74 (I am 5'10, 294lbs, 37yo, 23w5d pg). It doesn't seem to happen during the day - or at least I don't notice it during the day.
Any insight would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by Keith Downing, MD, Oct 22, 2007 02:21PM
, Oct 22, 2007 02:21PM
Hello,
Sounds like you have developed an arrhythmia. Arrhythmias and conduction disturbances associated with pregnancy can occur de novo or can be exacerbated by the pregnant state. Potential factors in pregnancy that can promote arrhythmogenesis include the increased plasma volume resulting in increased stress on the heart, as well as a change in the woman's hormonal make up.
What you describe sounds like premature beats, which usually have a benign prognosis. But that is just a guess based on what you report. It will be important for you to have a proper work up that should include obtaining an EKG, checking your electrolytes and thyroid hormone level, a cardiac ECHO and a 24hr Holter monitor. Once the nature and severity of the arrhythmia is determined, the proper intervention, if any, can be applied.
Best regards,
Dr. Downing
Sounds like you have developed an arrhythmia. Arrhythmias and conduction disturbances associated with pregnancy can occur de novo or can be exacerbated by the pregnant state. Potential factors in pregnancy that can promote arrhythmogenesis include the increased plasma volume resulting in increased stress on the heart, as well as a change in the woman's hormonal make up.
What you describe sounds like premature beats, which usually have a benign prognosis. But that is just a guess based on what you report. It will be important for you to have a proper work up that should include obtaining an EKG, checking your electrolytes and thyroid hormone level, a cardiac ECHO and a 24hr Holter monitor. Once the nature and severity of the arrhythmia is determined, the proper intervention, if any, can be applied.
Best regards,
Dr. Downing
