Overcome shortness of breath, heart palpitations during pregnancy

The article is professionally consulted by Doctor, Master Tran Hong Nhat - Cardiovascular Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Tachycardia during pregnancy is a common phenomenon for most pregnant women, making mothers worried. So what is the cause of this phenomenon, is it dangerous? Where is the fix? Inviting pregnant women with Doctor Master. Doctor Tran Hong Nhat, Cardiovascular Center of Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital learns through the following article.

A woman of normal health has an average heart rate of about 70 beats per minute. However, during pregnancy, a woman's heart rate will increase gradually from the 10th week of pregnancy, can fall to about 80-90 beats / minute.
At the end of pregnancy, the heart can beat faster than before about 10 beats per minute, at this time the amount of blood the heart has to pump every day to feed both the mother and the fetus also increases.
When the fetus is 25 weeks old, the amount of blood through the mother's heart can increase by 30-50%, which is equivalent to the amount of work that the heart has to "work over" every day to provide an extra 2160 - 3600 liters of blood, ie about 2-4 tons of blood.

The reason why a pregnant woman's heart has to work so much is because at this time, in addition to nourishing herself, the mother's body also has to provide more oxygen and more nutrients to nourish. fetus, making the mother's heart "busy" to serve both mother and child.
In addition, anemia is also a cause of heart palpitations during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the mother's body often experiences anemia due to iron deficiency and increased oxygen demand. Anemia makes the mother feel short of breath, heart palpitations, fatigue, dizziness. Pregnant women need to note this issue with their doctor, because if left untreated, anemia can become more serious, affecting the mother's health and the development of the fetus. Unpleasant feelings will always accompany the mother and child during the 38-42 week of pregnancy. Heart palpitations and shortness of breath are just one of them and very few people can avoid.

For women with normal health, pregnancy symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath during pregnancy are completely natural, changes during pregnancy are completely normal. Pregnant women should not worry but consider it a part of pregnancy and actively discuss with the doctor to well control possible problems. Besides, most of these uncomfortable symptoms will gradually disappear and return to normal after giving birth. That's normal, but for women with cardiovascular disease, whose heart function is already poor, changes in heart rate during this time can be dangerous, more likely to occur. heart failure or arrhythmia. Pregnant women should notify their doctor immediately if they notice more serious symptoms, such as:
A clear feeling of a sudden increase in heart rate, irregular heartbeat, unexplained palpitations, palpitations chest. Severe shortness of breath, cyanosis, or feeling weaker after a rapid heartbeat. Chest pain, which becomes especially severe with exertion. Shortness of breath even at rest, lying down, or difficulty breathing at night.

In order to limit the complications of arrhythmia, worsening breathing difficulties, pregnant women need to take time to rest, should not try to exercise or work too hard. Going up and down stairs should also be slow, go slowly, if you feel tired due to heart palpitations and shortness of breath while doing anything, you should stop and rest. When it comes to the middle and nearer to the end of pregnancy, pregnant women must pay special attention to rest, limit work, should not be active. This will be beneficial in protecting the mother's heart and lungs, as well as to alleviate the phenomenon of heart palpitations and shortness of breath. If the symptoms of pregnancy become unusually severe, the pregnant woman needs to be transported to the hospital immediately. It should be emphasized, shortness of breath and heart palpitations during pregnancy is a normal phenomenon in most pregnant women, not a pathology. This is just a physiological change in the body during pregnancy, pregnant women should not be stressed or worried. On the contrary, it is necessary to keep the spirit of optimism and joy, pay attention to living and working habits, and talk more with the future fathers about the problems they face, so that when necessary, they can correct the problem. are the best support of mother and child. Besides, remember to have regular antenatal check-ups as advised by your doctor!
Through the above information, Vinmec hopes that pregnant women have better understand about heart palpitations during pregnancy and how to overcome it.