PREGNANCY AND HEART DISEASE

Singapore has one of the lowest Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in the world, but among these maternal deaths, most of them are due to cardiovascular disease.

Pregnant women face a greater likelihood of developing palpitations, hypertension, and congestive heart failure because the metabolic work of the heart increases by about 30-50% during pregnancy.

Pregnancy-related palpitations are rarely dangerous. Hypertension and congestive heart failure, in contrast, are potentially more serious and require close monitoring. As such, women with existing heart problems should consult their cardiologists before they are pregnant so that their conditions can be evaluated and stabilised before the changes of pregnancy occur.

Women are at a greater risk of developing heart disease or a stroke if they experience the following pregnancy complications:

Gestational Hypertension and Pre-Eclampsia

What is gestational hypertension?

What is pre-eclampsia?

Gestational hypertension can develop into pre-eclampsia, which is diagnosed with increased protein in the urine and signs of damage to other organ systems, including the kidneys, liver, blood, or brain. Untreated pre-eclampsia can lead to severe – even fatal – complications for both mother and child, including the development of seizures (eclampsia).

Pre-term delivery may be required to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.

Who is at risk?
Women who have the following might be at higher risk of Gestational Hypertension:

Symptoms of Pre-eclampsia

Not sure if you have pre-eclampsia? Here are some symptoms you can look out for:

• Vision changes (e.g. blurriness)
• Persistent Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Intense pain or tenderness in the upper abdomen
• High Blood Pressure (>140/90mmHg)
• Proteinuria (protein in the mother’s urine)

  How to reduce your risk?

  Here’s what you need to do to reduce your risk of gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia.

• Go for routine check-ups with your Obstetrician
• Consume heart-healthy diet (e.g. food rich in potassium like tomato)
• Monitor and maintain a healthy BP of <130/85mmHg
• Exercise regularly (e.g. yoga)

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is the development of diabetes during pregnancy. Diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin to regulate blood glucose, resulting in high blood sugar levels.

GDM usually develops during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, the test to diagnose GDM, known as the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), is conducted between 24th and 28th week of gestation.