Cardio-obstetrics

What is cardio-obstetrics?

Cardio-obstetrics is an emerging field of medicine that focuses on the cardiovascular health of women during pregnancy and postpartum. Changes that occur during pregnancy can place increased stress on the heart and vascular system. Cardio-obstetrics is a multidisciplinary approach to managing cardiovascular health in pregnant women, aiming to prevent complications and improve outcomes for both mothers and babies. 

The Cardio-obstetrics program at Lee Health Heart Institute integrates expertise from multiple disciplines to ensure optimal care for pregnant women who may have pre-existing cardiovascular conditions or develop cardiovascular complications during or after pregnancy. 

Each member of our team has training and expertise in providing care to high-risk patients during pregnancy. If you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy and have cardiovascular risk factors, our team can offer comprehensive, expert care tailored to your needs.

Common Conditions We Manage

• Pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders (gestational hypertension, preeclampsia)
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Valvular heart disease
• Diseases of the aorta (Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome)
• Ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction history)
• Heart failure and cardiomyopathies
• Congenital heart disease

Risk Factors and Symptoms:

If you are aware that you have a cardiac condition and are considering getting pregnant, speak with your medical team and consider a referral to Cardio-obstetrics to reduce your risks. If you have experienced high blood pressure with pregnancy, gestational diabetes or a preterm delivery (before 37 weeks), you may be at increased risk for heart attack or stroke. Risks and serious complications can often occur after delivery.

Look out for signs like:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Spots in your vision
• Severe headaches
• High blood pressure
• Swelling in hands, feet or face
• Rapid weight gain
• A general feeling of being unwell or that something’s not right

Should you experience any of the above symptoms call 9-11 or seek emergent care.

Our Cardio-obstetric Program Goals

The primary goals of a Cardio-obstetric program are:

Risk Assessment: Identifying women at increased risk for developing cardiovascular complications before, during, and after pregnancy (e.g., those with a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity) 

Comprehensive Care: Providing integrated, multidisciplinary care that addresses both obstetric and cardiovascular health concerns simultaneously, ensuring that both the mother and fetus are closely monitored and treated.

Patient Education and Counseling: Helping women understand how pregnancy affects their cardiovascular health and how they can reduce risks during and after pregnancy.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Cardio-obstetrics care often requires a team-based approach, with collaboration between obstetricians, cardiologists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, primary care and nursing.

How can women benefit from the program?

Cardio-obstetrics can greatly benefit expecting mothers for:

Women with Pre-Existing Heart Conditions: For example, women with congenital heart disease, heart failure, or arrhythmias who are pregnant or planning pregnancy.

Women at Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: This includes women with risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, or a family history of cardiovascular disease.

Pregnant Women with New Cardiovascular Issues: Some women may develop cardiovascular issues during pregnancy, such as gestational hypertension, preeclampsia or peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Women with Previous Complications: Women who had pregnancy complications in previous pregnancies that were related to cardiovascular issues, such as preeclampsia.

What You Should Know

• Pregnancy Can Stress the Heart: The heart works harder during pregnancy, with increased blood volume, changes in hormone levels, and the added stress of delivering a baby. This can affect women with pre-existing heart conditions.
• Early Intervention is Important: Identifying cardiovascular issues early during pregnancy and taking proactive steps can significantly reduce risks for both the mother and baby.
• Collaboration is Key: The involvement of both obstetricians and cardiologists ensures that the care plan is holistic, addressing both the pregnancy and cardiovascular needs of the patient.
• Cardiovascular Health Doesn’t End at Delivery: The postpartum period is a time when complications such as high blood pressure or heart failure can emerge. Ongoing care and follow-up are important, as cardiovascular issues in the postpartum period can have lasting effects on long-term health. Understanding long-term risks can help women make appropriate life-style changes to reduce those risks.