• “Which foods should I avoid?”
• “In which position is best to sleep?”
• “Can I keep drinking coffee?”
• “Which over-the-counter supplements are safe to take?”

Pregnancy can be a time of great joy and excitement, but it can also bring about concerns for the health of both yourself and your baby. Countless thoughts may occupy your mind. Heart health may not be among them, but it truly deserves attention. 

The interplay between heart health and pregnancy can be a two-way street. Heart health can affect your pregnancy, and oppositely, pregnancy can affect your heart health. To protect the heart health of both yourself and your unborn child, there are several steps you can take. Many of these can be seamlessly integrated into your daily routine. 

Let us help you understand the connection between heart health and pregnancy, and how you can maintain or improve your heart health with practical tips.

Know the Effects

How Heart Health Affects Your Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, you may notice many changes in your body. Some of these changes are related to how your heart functions. Heart conditions that can occur during your pregnancy include:

• Gestational hypertension (high blood pressure) can develop after week 20 of pregnancy.
• Gestational diabetes (high blood sugar) can develop after week 20 of pregnancy.
• Arrhythmias (an irregular heart beat) can develop at any point during your pregnancy. 

“If not kept in check, these conditions can lead to more serious health problems. High blood pressure, for instance, can raise the risk of preeclampsia,” says Andrew Najovits, MD. “Preeclampsia can impact other organs in the body and pose significant risks to both mother and baby, including the possibility of premature delivery.”

How Pregnancy Affects Your Heart Health

Pregnancy can put an increased demand on your heart, affecting blood volume and flow to support your baby’s growth. Whether the added stress reveals undetected heart conditions or confirms a preexisting one, it’s important to be aware that you may face a higher risk of heart-related complications during pregnancy. Conditions that may require special care during your pregnancy include:

• Congenital heart disease can increase the risk of a cardiovascular event for the mother (such as stroke) and pose risks for the baby (such as birth defects or irregular blood flow).
• Cardiomyopathy can affect you and your baby in different ways, including how well the heart pumps and breathing problems.

“If you have a heart condition, we believe closely monitoring your heart health should be part of your overall pregnancy care plan. Because every pregnancy is different, we work with you to create an individualized care plan that best protects your heart health,” says Dr. Najovits.

How to Safeguard Your Heart Health for Pregnancy

“Remember, your health is important not just for yourself, but also for the well-being of your growing family. Keep your heart healthy, for yourself and those you love,” says Dr. Najovits.

1. Get regular prenatal check-ups. If you’re pregnant or planning to be, make sure to schedule regular prenatal check-ups with your cardio-obstetrics team. They can keep an eye on any symptoms that might indicate a heart condition and treat them quickly.

2. Stick to a healthy diet. Eat a well-balanced diet centered around nutrient-dense foods that your body needs to thrive. Such foods include:

• Fruits and vegetables, which provide essential vitamins and antioxidants to reduce plaque buildup in your arteries
• Whole grains, which offer sustained energy and support digestive health
• Lean proteins, which are crucial for muscle repair and growth
• Healthy fats (such as those found in avocados and nuts), which support brain function and reduce inflammation

3. Stay active within safe limits. Regular physical activity can strengthen your heart muscle and significantly boost your cardiovascular system, improving blood circulation and overall well-being. Be sure to check with your cardio-obstetrics team to find out what level of activity is safe for you based on your individual situation.

4. Manage stress effectively. Pregnancy can be a stressful time, with numerous physical and emotional changes. It’s crucial to prioritize self-care to manage and lessen stress. Consider incorporating activities like meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises into your daily routine. These practices can help calm your mind, relax your body, and provide a sense of balance and peace amid the changes. 

5. Get enough rest. Getting good quality sleep goes a long way. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try adjusting your sleeping position or investing in a comfortable pregnancy pillow to support your body position.

WMCHealth Cardio-Obstetrics

If you’re pregnant and have a heart condition, WMCHealth Cardio-Obstetrics brings together the exact specialists you need to support you and your child’s heart care needs—throughout pregnancy, delivery, and recovery. 

• Maternal-fetal medicine specialists have advanced training in obstetrics (OB) and managing high-risk pregnancies, including women with heart disease.
• Cardiologists are experts in diagnosing and treating heart conditions, such as congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathy.

“At WMCHealth, our mission is to ensure your heart reaches and maintains its optimal health, not just through pregnancy and delivery, but well into the future. To do so, our doctors team up across specialty lines to provide care that keeps the stress on your heart as minimal as possible,” says Dr. Najovits.

Heart Disease and Pregnancy: The Facts

Are you aware of some of the facts surrounding heart disease and pregnancy?

• Complications during pregnancy: Heart disease complicates approximately 4 in 100 pregnancies.
• Cardiovascular-related maternal mortality: About 1 in 3 pregnancy-related deaths are attributed to cardiovascular problems.

While these facts may look scary, they also show that you can still have a healthy pregnancy and delivery, as do most expecting mothers with a heart condition. Being aware of your potential risks is the first step to proactively managing your heart health while preparing for the arrival of your little one.