Heart Palpitations During Pregnancy
Contents:
Heart Palpitations in Early and Late Pregnancy
Heart palpitations are commonly referred to as tachycardia or heart beating at a speed of more than 120 beats per minute. A healthy person feels them doing exercises or experiencing strong emotions. This condition is considered normal and does not require medical treatment. But what should a woman do if she feels heart palpitations during pregnancy?
Symptoms Heart Palpitations in Pregnancy
It is pathology if tachycardia occurs systematically and without any reason. Frequent heart palpitations often are a side effect of other diseases occurring in the human body.
Tachycardia has the following symptoms:
- pain in chest area on the left side;
- headache;
- general weakness;
- nausea;
- lightheadedness;
- fainting;
- dizziness;
- shortness of breath, a sense of lack of air;
- tinnitus;
- rapid heartbeat.
According to medical statistics, most pregnant women diagnosed with anemia suffer from tachycardia. During this period of life, the female body experiences additional load that affects the overall health status.
Reasons
Of course, every case of tachycardia in pregnant woman varies depending on the age and genetic characteristics. Many experts think that the main reason for it is the increased levels of sexual hormones in pregnant woman. An important role plays the psychoemotional state as well as overall health status.
The causes of tachycardia may include:
- ectopic pregnancy;
- excessive weight, obesity;
- severe stress;
- increased metabolism, causing shortage of vitamins and minerals responsible for the heart muscle functioning;
- anemia;
- bronchial asthma;
- hypertension;
- severe toxemia which changes of water-electrolyte balance in the body;
- overdose of drugs;
- allergy;
- the growth of the uterus and changes in its location affect the heart functioning;
- increased load on the heart;
- thyroid dysfunction;
- infection or inflammation;
- hypotension;
- reaction to products containing caffeine;
- tachycardia as the symptom of high body temperature.
Treatment Heart Palpitations in Pregnancy
Tachycardia in pregnant woman requires immediate medical attention and treatment. You should not run to the pharmacy and buy one of the effective drugs that promise to ease the symptoms. Any drug has a number of side effects that can harm the health of both the mother and the fetus. If this syndrome is not a symptom of a serious systemic disease, changes in lifestyle will provide you relief.
Use these tips:
- keep to a balanced diet;
- avoid strong tea, coffee;
- walk in the fresh air;
- make sure to have positive emotional state;
- do adequate exercises, practice yoga, go swimming;
- drink up to one and a half liters of still water a day;
- balance rest and work schedule;
- take preparations containing calcium, potassium and magnesium.
The recommendations above will help to stabilize the heart functioning. If the symptoms persist, you should consult your doctor and undergo a course of treatment.
How to Behave During an Attack
During a tachycardic attack do not to panic, calm down. A series of exercises will help to restore normal heart functioning.
- Have a rest in a comfortable position.
- Strain abdominal muscles, focus on this part of the body.
- Breathe rhythmically, occasionally hold your breath.
- Close your eyes and gently push the eyeballs.
- Try to induce an artificial urge to vomit.
- Alternate quick inhales with prolonged exhales.
Pregnancy is an important, but difficult period in every woman's life. The changes occur not only in the appearances but also in the organs and systems’ functioning that have double load. Careful monitor of health, especially during pregnancy, as well as advice of an expert can help to cope with the symptoms of tachycardia.