Postpartum cardiomyopathy is a condition of heart failure that occurs after delivery. Although rare, this disease is classified as dangerous because it can cause fatal complications if treated too late. To find out more about postpartum cardiomyopathy, come on, see the following discussion.
Cardiomyopathy or heart weakness can be divided into several types, one of which is postpartum cardiomyopathy that occurs in mothers who have just given birth. This disease usually appears within a few months (about 5–6 months) after giving birth.
In addition to mothers who have just given birth, cardiomyopathy can also attack pregnant women, especially during late pregnancy. This condition is known as peripartum cardiomyopathy.
Postpartum cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disorder that occurs when the left ventricle or ventricle enlarges or dilates, so that it cannot pump blood throughout the body smoothly. This results in the sufferer experiencing impaired heart function or heart failure.
Postpartum Cardiomyopathy Signs and Symptoms
Women with postpartum cardiomyopathy may experience signs and symptoms similar to those of peripartum cardiomyopathy, including:
- Chest pounding
- Tired easily
- Shortness of breath during activity or when lying down
- Cough, especially when lying on your back
- Frequent urination at night
- Dizzy
- Chest pain
- Swelling in certain body parts, such as legs or feet
In mild cases, these symptoms may not bother you and people with postpartum cardiomyopathy can still carry on with their normal activities. On the other hand, in more severe cases, symptoms such as shortness of breath will get worse and swelling will last longer after delivery.
If within a few months after giving birth you feel some of the symptoms of postpartum cardiomyopathy above, you should immediately consult a doctor.
The reason is, if treated too late, postpartum cardiomyopathy can cause serious complications, such as heart rhythm disturbances or arrhythmias, heart valve abnormalities, heart failure, or even death.
Causes and Risk Factors of Postpartum Cardiomyopathy
The exact cause of postpartum cardiomyopathy is not known. However, this condition is thought to be associated with increased cardiac work during pregnancy and childbirth.
In addition, there are several factors that are also known to increase a mother's risk for postpartum cardiomyopathy after giving birth, namely:
- Age above 30 years when pregnant or giving birth
- Certain diseases, such as cardiomyopathy or heart muscle disorders, high blood pressure or hypertension, preeclampsia, myocarditis, and heart disease
- Obesity
- viral infection
- Malnutrition
- Twin pregnancy
- The habit of smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages during pregnancy
- Drug side effects
Postpartum cardiomyopathy is important to be detected as soon as possible before it develops into heart failure. Therefore, you need to immediately see a doctor if you feel symptoms of postpartum cardiomyopathy.
To diagnose postpartum cardiomyopathy, the doctor will perform a physical examination and supporting examinations, such as echocardiography or cardiac ultrasound, electrocardiography (ECG), chest X-ray, CT scan or MRI of the heart, and blood tests.
Postpartum Cardiomyopathy Treatment
Women diagnosed with postpartum cardiomyopathy need to be hospitalized until their condition improves.
While the patient is undergoing treatment in the hospital, the doctor will provide several treatments to treat postpartum cardiomyopathy, such as:
Administration of drugs
Several types of drugs are generally given to treat postpartum cardiomyopathy, including:
- Drug class ACE-inhibitor and beta blockers to help stabilize blood pressure and ease the work of the heart
- Digitalis drug to strengthen the pumping function of the heart
- Anticoagulants or blood thinners to prevent blood clots from forming which can worsen cardiomyopathy
- Diuretic drugs to reduce fluid buildup from the body
Low salt diet
To reduce the workload of the heart and reduce swelling in the body, postpartum cardiomyopathy sufferers will also be advised to undergo a low-salt diet.
In addition, patients are also asked to get plenty of rest, limit fluid intake, stop smoking, and not consume alcoholic beverages.
Women who have had cardiomyopathy during pregnancy or after delivery are at risk of having it again in future pregnancies. If this is the case, the recurrent cardiomyopathy may be more severe.
Therefore, doctors may advise mothers who have experienced postpartum cardiomyopathy not to get pregnant again.
Postpartum Cardiomyopathy Prevention Steps
A mother's risk for postpartum cardiomyopathy can be reduced by the following steps:
- Consult an obstetrician during pregnancy and after delivery, especially if the pregnant woman has a history of certain diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, preeclampsia, and a history of heart problems
- Monitor weight gain during pregnancy and keep it ideal
- Live a healthy diet and reduce salt intake
- Stop smoking, consuming alcoholic beverages, and using drugs without a doctor's recommendation
- Regular light exercise
- Manage stress well
- Adequate rest time and avoid doing strenuous physical activity
Basically, peripartum cardiomyopathy and postpartum cardiomyopathy are similar conditions. If you experience symptoms of cardiomyopathy before delivery or after delivery, see a doctor immediately for a checkup.
After confirming that you have postpartum cardiomyopathy, the doctor will provide appropriate treatment so that your condition does not get worse.
