preeclampsia, taking a baby aspirin every day has been shown to prevent complications.
Your healthcare provider can review your health history with you and recommend whether low-dose aspirin should be part of your pregnancy care plan.
Tip #3: If you are pregnant and concerned about your heart, let your healthcare provider know!
Symptoms of pregnancy and symptoms of heart disease sometimes overlap — for example, many pregnant people experience shortness of breath and swollen legs at the end of pregnancy.
While most patients who have symptoms during pregnancy do not have heart disease, it is important to let your healthcare provider know about new symptoms and concerns, so that they can help you decide together whether further treatment is needed.
Some symptoms to look out for include suddenly worse fatigue, fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, trouble breathing when lying down, palpitations and sudden swelling in the legs.
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Heart disease and pregnancy
If you have heart disease and are planning a pregnancy, now is the time to talk with your healthcare provider. It is important to know your risks and the best ways to manage your heart condition while you are pregnant. If your pregnancy was unplanned, it’s also very important to talk with your provider right away so that he or she can evaluate your risk for complications. As a result, your heart disease medications may change to make them safer for pregnancy, Cleveland Clinic notes.
Even if you don’t have heart disease, talking to your doctor will be an important way to learn how unexpected heart issues can affect pregnancy.
Here are some tips to managing heart disease during pregnancy, according to the Cleveland Clinic:
- Attend your medical appointments. You’ll likely receive care from an obstetrician and a cardiologist. Be sure to keep all your appointments and follow-ups. You may need regular testing (including echocardiograms) to check your heart function.
- Avoid excess weight gain. Ask your provider how much weight is safe for you to gain during pregnancy.
- Avoid stress. As much as possible, avoid situations that cause you emotional upset. Also, find relaxation strategies that make you feel calm. Prenatal yoga classes may be helpful if your provider says they’re OK for you.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet. Follow your provider’s guidance on foods to eat and foods to avoid. In general, try to limit your intake of sodium, sugar, saturated fat and trans fat.
- Exercise safely. Your provider will tell you how often to exercise and which types of exercise are safe for you. Be sure to follow their guidance closely. You may need to avoid activities that put too much strain on your heart.