Tachycardia during pregnancy: why it appears, and what to do

Tachycardia is a relatively common phenomenon in pregnant women. Let's see what to do about it.

During pregnancy there are all sorts of changes in a woman's body, including an increase in Blood volume to meet the needs in the development and nutrition of the fetus.

It is due to this increase that certain typical discomforts of pregnancy may occur, such as fainting, hemorrhoids, headache, general fatigue and also palpitations and tachycardia.

We will now discuss tachycardia during pregnancy, what causes it, when it usually appears and what causes it..

Why does tachycardia appear during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a woman's body goes through several changes. In addition to an increase in weight and a change in body shape, there is an increase in blood volume to efficiently nourish the fetus, which is in full formation and development.

There can be an increase of up to 50% more blood, so the heart must pump harder to work with this extra blood. to be able to work with this extra amount of blood. As a result, palpitations are common.

Tachycardia associated with pregnancy usually occurs early in pregnancy, in the first trimester, and is more pronounced in the second trimester, with peaks of severe discomfort occurring between the 28th and 32nd weeks. The heart has to work harder and harder because the fetus is in constant development.. As the fetus is more formed and larger, the more effort the maternal heart has to make, thus increasing the heart rate.

In addition, as the uterus grows, the mother's organs such as the lungs and the heart itself have less space. In fact, while pregnant, the mother's heart moves slightly to the left. This shift is important because it can slightly alter the functioning of the cardiac organ, a factor that can aggravate tachycardia.

Factors predisposing to tachycardia

Factors that may predispose to the appearance of palpitations during pregnancy include stress, anxiety, exertion and an inappropriate lifestyle. All of these can cause a woman to suffer from tachycardia during pregnancy, although, of course, these are factors that may predispose to tachycardia during pregnancy.However, of course, these are factors that can also trigger palpitations in people who are not pregnant. However, taking into account the physical changes that a woman undergoes during pregnancy, the appearance of these factors triggers tachycardia even more.

Although palpitations and tachycardia are normal physiological symptoms during pregnancy, they should not be underestimated. They may be indicative of heart problems, which may well be associated with cardiovascular disease. If they occur very frequently or appear very intensely, it may be a warning sign. Although most arrhythmias in pregnancy are benign, a doctor should be consulted to rule out any life-threatening problems.

It is common for pregnant women to have tachycardia when lying on their back.. This tachycardia is due to supine hypotension, a situation that occurs when, when lying down, the uterus compresses the vena cava, which is responsible for carrying blood to the heart. Thus, the heart has less blood to pump, which lowers blood pressure, increases heart rate and generates feelings of discomfort, usually tachycardia, dizziness and palpitations.

Other factors that can trigger tachycardia during pregnancy are, in fact, factors that can also trigger tachycardia in non-pregnant people. Among them we find having done a high intensity sport (not recommended in pregnancy), having taken medications whose side effect is palpitations, consuming food and drinks with methylxanthines (coffee, tea, mate, chocolate ...) and some endocrinological disorders such as hyperthyroidism.

What can be done?

As we said, tachycardia associated with pregnancy can appear in any of the three trimesters into which it is divided. Each woman and each pregnancy is different, so this symptom is not necessarily present in all of them or even constantly. Palpitations can appear when you make a small effort or even when you are lying on your back. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to try to relax and breathe deeply until they pass.

As preventive measures, the main one is to avoid putting on too much weight.. It is clear that this is easier said than done, but the effort must be made. Whether it is because of binge eating or stress eating, it is common for pregnant women to gain a few extra kilos. As we said, since the fetus is in full development, it should not be deprived of anything, however, neither should food be abused. When you put on weight, you gain visceral fat, which squeezes the organs and hinders the work of the heart.

This is why it is essential to heed the doctor's advice and go to a nutritionist specialized in pregnancy. This professional will suggest a diet that does not lack nutrients necessary for the development of the fetus but will try to prevent the woman from gaining weight. In addition, it is recommended to practice moderate exercise, moderate exercise is recommended.. To avoid the effect of stress, it is ideal to practice relaxation techniques, get enough rest, sleep on your side and try to lead a quiet life as best as possible.

Treatment

As we said, seeing a professional during pregnancy is essential to prevent any medical problem from worsening.. Tachycardia, although it may be mild, if not evaluated and controlled could be indicative of a serious problem that requires intervention. Some cardiac or hormonal pathologies, such as hyperthyroidism, could explain the appearance of tachycardia in pregnant women, and it would be necessary to prescribe drugs that reduce the heart rate.

If the tachycardia is associated with a drug prescribed to the pregnant woman, an attempt is made to find a substitute drug and see if its administration does not cause this side effect or if its side effects are less serious. Whatever may explain it, whether postural, pharmacological, hormonal or cardiac, it is very important to visit the attending obstetrician and any other professional who can improve the quality of life of the pregnant woman during the process.

Bibliographic references:

• Blott, M. (2015), Tu embarazo día a día, Barcelona, Ed. Planeta.
• Adamson, D. L., & Nelson-Piercy, C. (2007). Managing palpitations and arrhythmias during pregnancy. Heart (British Cardiac Society), 93(12), 1630-1636. https://doi.org/10.1136/hrt.2006.098822
• Belham M, Patient C, Pickett JInappropriate sinus tachycardia in pregnancy: a benign phenomena?Case Reports 2017;2017:bcr2016217026.
• Trappe, H.-J. (2008). Cardiac Arrhythmias In The Pregnant Woman And The Foetus. European Cardiology; 4(2):67–71