Beyond the Bump: How Pregnancy Affects Your Heart Health

Did you know the healthy glow that often comes with pregnancy is partially fueled by a 50% increase in blood volume in your system? This means that you’re not only eating for two, you’re also beating for two.

Since February is National Heart Health Awareness Month, in this month’s blog, board-certified OB/GYN A. Micheal Coppa, MD, breaks down how a pregnancy affects this life-giving organ. This may help you understand the importance of maintaining excellent heart health as you bring a new life into the world.

Beating for two

While the changes to your body brought on by pregnancy are pretty obvious, given that you’re accommodating a growing life inside your body, some behind-the-scenes changes may not be so apparent to the naked eye.

During your pregnancy, the volume of blood in your body increases by as much as 50%, which makes sense given that you’re sustaining two lives (maybe more?) instead of just yourself. This means that your heart is working overtime to ensure that your growing fetus receives the nutrients and oxygen it needs for healthy development.

In fact, a woman’s normal heart rate hovers around 70 beats per minute, but pregnancy can bump this number up to between 80 and 90. And when it comes time to deliver your child, your heart rate can go up another 30%. Rest assured, these elevated numbers return to normal levels in the weeks following your delivery, often within about 6 weeks.

Along with this elevated heart rate, your heartbeats may become a little more erratic, which Dr. Coppa monitors closely through your prenatal visits. Irregular heartbeats are relatively commonplace and not cause for immediate alarm. Should you develop irregularities in your heart rhythm, it usually means we just keep a closer eye on the situation.

On the receiving end

While the volume of your blood increases by as much as 50%, much of that volume is liquid, which ferries your oxygen-rich red blood cells to your uterus. Your body sends as much as one-fifth of your blood supply, especially toward the end of your pregnancy, to your uterus, as your unborn child begins to need more blood to sustain their own internal systems.

One effect of this roadblock in your blood supply is that you may experience edema (or swelling) in your legs, as your blood vessels have a more difficult time returning all this blood to your heart. This is perfectly natural and not necessarily cause for concern. You can offset this side effect of your increased blood flow by frequently elevating your legs and wearing compression stockings to help push the extra blood back to your heart.

Working with poor heart health

While the above describes what happens to a healthy woman’s heart during her pregnancy, if you have a pre-existing cardiovascular issue, Dr. Coppa will place you under a higher standard of prenatal care to keep you and your baby safe. This also applies if you develop a heart issue during your pregnancy, such as high blood pressure. 

Whether you have heart valve problems, a heart defect, or any other condition that a pregnancy may exacerbate, we work with you to find the best possible avenue for a healthy pregnancy.

If you’d like to learn more about the role your heart plays in your pregnancy, book a consultation with Dr. Coppa’s office in Cranston, Smithfield, or Providence, Rhode Island. Call or request an appointment online today.