As a fetus grows, a person's blood volume increases by 30% to 50%, requiring the heart to beat faster to circulate the extra blood. These changes, along with sudden blood pressure fluctuations during labor and delivery, can cause significant stress on the heart.
According to Ann Bruno, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at University of Utah Health, most patients tolerate these physiological changes without complication. However, for those with existing or known cardiac conditions, these added stressors can become more serious.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in pregnant and postpartum women, accounting for 26.5% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S., according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG).
While many symptoms are benign, it is important to recognize the difference between normal pregnancy symptoms and warning signs. Common symptoms that are often harmless include dizziness, lightheadedness, minor shortness of breath during physical activity, fatigue, minor headaches that improve with medication, and temporary heart palpitations.
Dr. Bruno encourages patients to discuss these symptoms with their providers for clinical review. However, certain symptoms require seeking urgent or emergency care immediately. These warning signs include chest pain, fainting, sudden or severe swelling of the extremities, trouble breathing, high blood pressure, racing heart or persistent palpitations, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and sudden or severe headaches that do not improve.
Pregnancy can increase the risk for several cardiovascular conditions even in those without previous heart problems. These include hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, arrhythmias, and valvular heart disease.
A serious form of heart failure known as peripartum cardiomyopathy can also develop during the final weeks of pregnancy or a few months postpartum.
For patients with known cardiac conditions, experts recommend planning ahead through preconception consultations with both cardiology and maternal-fetal medicine.
University of Utah Health is expanding specialized services with a new cardio-obstetrics clinic opening in Summer 2026. The clinic aims to streamline care by allowing patients to consolidate services, such as seeing a cardiologist and receiving a maternal screening echocardiogram on the same day.
