❤Physiological vs Pathological Cardiac Symptoms in Pregnancy

Pregnancy places significant demands on the cardiovascular system.

Many symptoms are expected.

Some are not.

Understanding the difference is essential.

✅ Physiological (Expected) Symptoms

These are usually related to increased blood volume and cardiac output:

• Mild shortness of breath on exertion

• Slight increase in resting heart rate

• Mild ankle edema (worse by evening)

• Occasional brief palpitations

• Soft systolic flow murmur.

These symptoms are generally well tolerated in a healthy heart.

⚠️ Pathological (Concerning) Symptoms

These require prompt medical evaluation:

• Shortness of breath at rest

• Orthopnea (difficulty breathing while lying flat)

• Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

• Syncope or near-syncope

• Persistent chest pain

• Rapidly worsening or severe edema

• Cyanosis

• Sustained tachycardia

These are NOT normal pregnancy symptoms.

Pregnancy does not create heart disease.

It may unmask previously silent conditions.

Early recognition, risk stratification, and multidisciplinary management significantly reduce maternal morbidity.

Because protecting the mother’s heart

means protecting two lives.

Dr Rabab Cares

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