Tachycardia in pregnancy

Tachycardia during pregnancy is an increased heartbeat that causes discomfort and pain in the expectant mother. Let's consider the main causes of this pathology in pregnant women, diagnostic methods, treatment and prognosis for recovery.

The normal heart rate is within 60-90 beats, but if this indicator exceeds the norm, then we are talking about tachycardia. Pregnancy is a rather important moment in a woman's life. And this is not surprising, since at this moment the body experiences increased stress. The cardiovascular system, which is the most important organ in the body, does double work. A failure in the work of this system leads to an increase in heart rate, which is a very common phenomenon during the period of bearing a child.

Tachycardia during pregnancy is a pathological condition that causes concern in a woman, but the most dangerous thing is that it negatively affects the full development of the fetus. Rapid heartbeat must be treated, as this symptom can lead to premature birth or miscarriage. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment are the key to a calm bearing of the child, happiness of the mother and health of the child.

Causes of tachycardia during pregnancy

The reasons are varied and depend on many factors. Let's look at the main reasons for increased heart rate in expectant mothers:

• Overweight and obesity.
• Anemia.
• Allergic reactions to vitamin preparations for pregnant women and various medications.
• Thyroid diseases that are accompanied by increased production of thyroid hormones.
• Bronchial asthma.
• Infectious and inflammatory lesions of the lungs and other respiratory organs.
• Changes in the position of the heart due to the growth of the uterus and reflex pressure on the vessels, displacement of the abdominal organs and pressure on the diaphragm.
• Severe bleeding during ectopic pregnancy, various injuries and premature placental abruption.
• Dehydration and exhaustion of the body due to toxicosis, accompanied by repeated vomiting.
• A sharp increase in body temperature (heart rate increases by 10-12 beats with each degree of temperature).
• Increased excitability of the nervous system, anxiety, frequent stress.
• Diseases of the heart and cardiovascular system (heart failure, heart attack).
• Infections, sepsis, injuries.
• Bad habits and drug overdose.

The causes of tachycardia during pregnancy are not fully understood. The main factor causing increased heart rate is the high content of adrenal hormones that increase the pulse. At rest, a pregnant woman does not experience increased heart rate, and the heart rate does not exceed the norm. But with physical exertion, this indicator increases by 10-20 contractions.

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Symptoms of tachycardia during pregnancy

Many women ignore the symptoms of tachycardia during pregnancy and consider them harmless. At first glance, mild attacks do not pose a threat, but if such a condition occurs frequently and is long-term, then you need to seek medical help. Increased heart rate during pregnancy is considered a physiological norm. Due to the increase in heart rate, the volume of pumped blood increases, due to which the future child receives oxygen and nutrients necessary for full development. With the help of this mechanism, the baby grows and develops normally in the mother's womb even in the last stages of the gestation period.

But there are a number of symptoms that should cause concern in the expectant mother. Let's consider the main signs of tachycardia during pregnancy:

• Nausea and vomiting, gastrointestinal disorders (diarrhea, constipation).
• Dizziness, fainting.
• Numbness of any parts of the body.
• Painful sensations in the chest and heart area.
• Increased anxiety, irritability, nervousness.
• Frequent fatigue, general malaise, drowsiness.

Sinus tachycardia during pregnancy

It is a sinus rhythm with a heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute. The sinus node is located in the wall of the right atrium. Very often, this form of supraventricular tachyarrhythmia is a sign of metabolic disorders, diseases or side effects of drugs. Pregnancy is also a factor that provokes this pathology.

This type of tachycardia can be pathological and physiological. The first occurs due to pathologies of the sinus node, and the second is an adaptive reaction. Symptoms depend on the presence of concomitant diseases of the cardiovascular system. If a woman has left ventricular dysfunction or a heart defect, then during pregnancy this will cause supraventricular tachyarrhythmia, chest pain, shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat.

The main causes and factors causing sinus tachycardia during pregnancy:

• Double the load on the cardiovascular system.
• Pathological diseases of the heart and cardiovascular system.
• Restructuring of the organs and systems of the mother's body due to the influence of hormones and the developing fetus.
• Increased metabolism.
• Increased stress on the nervous system.
• Compression of the heart and other organs due to the growth of the fetus.
• Intensive functioning of the mother's vital organs, ensuring the development of the fetus.

The increased heart rate may be more pronounced in the last trimester, since during this period the fetus is almost fully formed and life processes are quite intense. A woman may experience nausea, vomiting, chest pain and other symptoms. The danger is a regular increase in heart rate, which is accompanied by prolonged attacks.

If tachycardia is not caused by organic heart pathologies, it can be eliminated with sedatives. If therapy is not carried out in time, the pregnant woman may develop sleep disorders, anxiety, and the protective properties of the immune system are reduced. Rapid heartbeat can develop into persistent arrhythmia, leading to pressure drops.

Tachycardia in early pregnancy

Tachycardia in early pregnancy occurs very rarely and, as a rule, appears due to various provoking factors. Physical activity, anxiety, bad habits, hormonal changes - are among the factors that cause rapid heartbeat. If rapid tachycardia appeared in the first weeks of pregnancy and is permanent, then the pathology can be caused by chronic diseases or lesions of the cardiovascular system.

Tachycardia in the first trimester should be a cause for concern, as it may indicate pathological processes in the body. Let's consider cases of rapid heartbeat that require medical attention:

• During an attack, the patient's health deteriorates significantly, anxiety and pain appear.
• Nausea and dizziness appear.
• If the heart skips beats during attacks, this indicates paroxysmal tachycardia, which requires immediate medical attention.

In order to eliminate a mild attack of tachycardia in early pregnancy, it is necessary to relax as much as possible. The woman is recommended to take a comfortable position, lie down or sit, close her eyes for a couple of minutes, slowly inhale and exhale. Very often, rapid heartbeat in early pregnancy occurs due to hormonal changes in the mother's body. In this case, to treat attacks, the woman is prescribed herbal sedatives that allow her to remain calm and not feel discomfort due to natural processes in the body.

Tachycardia in late pregnancy

Tachycardia in late pregnancy occurs in every woman. The main reason for the increased heart rate is the growth and increase in the size of the fetus. In the last trimester, the bottom of the growing uterus can displace the heart, which leads to disturbances in its rhythm and an increase in heart rate. In this case, increased heart rate is a completely natural process that should not be feared.

• Tachycardia may appear due to the bad habits of the expectant mother, for example, smoking and drinking caffeinated beverages.
• Taking any medications in the last months of pregnancy requires special attention. The thing is that many drugs cause increased heart rate and can lead to bleeding and premature birth. For example, the well-known drops for a runny nose, Naphthyzinum, can provoke an attack of tachycardia in a pregnant woman.

A rapid heartbeat is considered dangerous when the heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute in a calm state. The woman feels pain in the heart area and discomfort. Relaxation therapy and safe preparations with herbal ingredients are used for treatment.

Paroxysmal tachycardia during pregnancy

It is a pathological condition in which the heart rate is at the level of 140-200 beats per minute. The duration of the attack can be from several seconds to several hours, or even days. The pathology occurs due to the appearance of a focus of excitation in one of the conductive sections of the heart, which generates electrical impulses. The focus can appear in the ventricles or cells of the conductive system of the atria. Based on this, tachycardia can be ventricular or atrial.

Paroxysmal tachycardia depends on the source of the lesion. The paroxysm begins unexpectedly and also passes unexpectedly. The main symptoms of paroxysmal tachycardia during pregnancy:

• Increased heart rate of 140-220 beats per minute against a background of weakness and general malaise.
• Dizziness, tinnitus, fainting.
• Neurological symptoms of paroxysmal attacks.
• Decreased blood pressure and weakness against this background.
• Discomfort and pain in the chest area, a feeling of constriction of the heart.
• Sweating, nausea, flatulence and other manifestations of autonomic dysfunction.
• After an attack, a woman may experience increased urine production, i.e. polyuria. The urine has a low density and is light or transparent in color.

If the above symptoms appear, you should seek medical help or call an ambulance. Ventricular paroxysmal tachycardia occurs due to cardiovascular pathologies, such as myocarditis, myocardial infarction, or intoxication caused by medications. This condition is dangerous for both the woman and her unborn child.

With atrial paroxysmal tachycardia, rapid heart rate is not the only symptom. The cause of the pathology is oxygen starvation of the heart muscle, endocrine disorders and other disorders. The woman experiences painful sensations in the chest area, in some cases, a feeling of shortness of breath, chills, profuse urination, a feeling of shortness of breath.

Treatment requires qualified medical care. As a rule, during pregnancy, therapy is carried out with the safest drugs, but after childbirth, surgical intervention is possible.

Attacks of tachycardia during pregnancy

Attacks of tachycardia during pregnancy can occur both in the first months of the gestational period and in the last trimester. Attacks are accompanied by characteristic symptoms: paroxysmal increases in heart rate, chest pain, general weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath.

Attacks occur as a result of stress, fatigue, lack of sleep. Low blood sugar, hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure and myocarditis are also causes of rapid heartbeat.

There are a number of reasons that provoke the onset of an attack of tachycardia, and the symptoms allow you to identify and eliminate rapid heartbeat in time.

• If the onset of an attack is accompanied by trembling of the limbs, the cause of the pathology may be stress, the use of medications, or the wrong choice of medications.
• If a pregnant woman loses weight after attacks, the cause may be hormonal changes in the body or treatment with hormonal drugs.
• Increased heart rate, accompanied by increased sweating, occurs due to excessive caffeine consumption. If nervous excitability appears, then the pregnant woman needs to reduce physical activity, avoid stress and nervous situations.

The attack is characterized by a pulse rate of more than 120-150 beats per minute. To eliminate the pathology, it is necessary to use special techniques:

• Take a deep breath and hold it for a couple of seconds, then exhale slowly. Deep breathing helps to normalize a rapid pulse.
• Find a comfortable position, lie down or sit down, and try to relax as much as possible.
• In some cases, a strong cough or artificially induced vomiting helps stop the attack.
• Taking sedatives such as Corvalol and Valocordin helps to eliminate rapid heartbeat.
• A cold compress for the face helps to relieve an attack of rapid heartbeat. If possible, it is recommended to lower the face into ice water for 1-2 seconds, this will normalize the pulse.

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Severe tachycardia during pregnancy

Severe tachycardia during pregnancy is a sign of serious pathological processes in the woman's body. Severe attacks of rapid heartbeat cause dizziness, nausea, weakness, fainting and other unpleasant and even painful symptoms.

This pathology requires medical care, as without proper treatment it can lead to serious consequences. Rapid heartbeat increases the risk of complications during the birth process. Due to the constant increase in heart rate, premature birth may develop. If severe attacks accompany a woman from the first days of pregnancy, this can lead to a miscarriage or the development of pathologies in the future child.

Is tachycardia dangerous during pregnancy?

Is tachycardia dangerous during pregnancy? This is a question that interests many expectant mothers who have experienced increased heart rate at the most important moment for every woman. Increased heart rate significantly worsens the quality of life, causes unfavorable symptoms, and without the necessary treatment does not pass without a trace even after pregnancy. Pathology can occur due to exacerbated chronic diseases. Tachycardia associated with cardiovascular diseases is especially dangerous, as it can be a threat to the life of not only the child, but also the woman. Increased heart rate increases the risk of complications during the birth process and gestation.

A slight increased heart rate is not dangerous. But if the attacks occur very often and are long-term, it is necessary to consult a cardiologist and obstetrician-gynecologist. With an increased heart rate with a pulse rate above 120 beats per minute, a woman experiences nausea, dizziness, general malaise, fainting and severe chest pain.

Diagnosis of tachycardia during pregnancy

Diagnosis of tachycardia during pregnancy is a mandatory procedure, with the help of which doctors can determine the type of pathology and select the necessary treatment. Let's consider the main diagnostic procedures for increased heart rate in a pregnant woman:

• Consultation with a gynecologist and laboratory tests - the doctor helps to establish the presence of pregnancy, its timing and gynecological pathologies. Urine and blood are taken for tests, this allows determining the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin. A study of the level of thyroid hormones is mandatory.
• Electrocardiogram and Dopplerography are performed to study the heart rhythm and allow the detection of supraventricular tachyarrhythmia.
• EchoCG or ultrasound examination of the heart – determines the functioning of the cardiovascular system, heart valves, identifies heart defects and other chronic pathological diseases.
• Consultation with related specialists – a consultation with a cardiologist (allows to exclude congenital and acquired heart diseases), endocrinologist and other doctors is mandatory.

Based on the diagnostic results, the doctor will prescribe the most effective and safe treatment that will help eliminate the increased heart rate, but will not affect the course of pregnancy and fetal development. When choosing therapy, the doctor takes into account the causes of the increased heart rate, the woman's age, the duration of pregnancy, and the presence of concomitant diseases. In most cases, increased heart rate does not require special treatment; it is enough to eliminate the causes that caused it.

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What to do with tachycardia during pregnancy?

What to do with tachycardia during pregnancy is a pressing issue for many expectant mothers who have experienced discomfort from rapid heartbeat. As a rule, it appears when a woman begins to worry. But it is enough to relax and the heart rate returns to normal. In this case, an increase in heart rate does not pose a threat. This also applies to rapid heartbeat caused by increased physical activity.

Attacks of tachycardia that do not stop for a long time are dangerous. In this case, the woman should seek medical help to diagnose the condition. The doctor collects information about the pregnant woman and determines the causes of the pathology. One of the important factors that provoke tachycardia during pregnancy is excess body weight. This is due to the fact that during pregnancy, a woman gains weight very quickly, which is one of the causes of tachycardia.

Rapid heartbeat can be caused by the bad habits of the expectant mother. The woman should give up smoking, caffeine, alcohol and drugs. If the pathology is caused by diseases of the lungs or cardiovascular system, then doctors prescribe drug therapy. The woman is prescribed antiarrhythmic drugs, beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Treatment depends on many concomitant factors, so any drugs should be taken only with the permission of a doctor. Self-medication is strictly prohibited, as this will lead to serious health problems and jeopardize the pregnancy and the health of the future baby.

Treatment of tachycardia during pregnancy

Therapy depends on the causes of the rapid heart rate and the type of tachycardia. In most cases, the unpleasant symptoms go away on their own. To do this, a woman just needs to rest, get enough sleep, and stop being nervous. But sometimes medication is also necessary.

A rapid heartbeat that occurs without any apparent reason should cause concern. The main treatment is aimed at eliminating the cause of the pathology, improving the woman's well-being and preventing relapses of tachycardia. If the cause cannot be determined, various methods are used for treatment that effectively restore normal heart rhythm.

• In case of pathology in the first trimester, a woman needs to ensure comfort and complete rest. Most often, in the early stages of pregnancy, an increase in heart rate appears due to increased hormonal levels. For treatment, natural sedatives (valerian, motherwort) and means for strengthening the cardiac and immune systems (hawthorn, rose hips) are used.
• If the pathology occurs in the second trimester, the treatment is no different from the treatment of tachycardia in the first months of the gestational period.
• In the third trimester, the increased heart rate reaches its maximum and this is explained by the growth and development of the child. Various sedatives, vitamin and mineral complexes are used for treatment.

Before taking any medications during pregnancy, you should consult your doctor and carefully read the instructions for the drug.

Tablets for tachycardia during pregnancy

Tablets for tachycardia during pregnancy help restore normal heart rhythm, prevent attacks and allow maintaining heart rate under control. The choice of tablets depends on the type of tachycardia, the presence of concomitant diseases in the pregnant woman, the duration of pregnancy and its general course, the side effects of the selected drug and the patient's response to the therapy.

• Sedatives

Medicines are made from herbs and plants. The drugs can also be of synthetic origin, for example: Diazepam, Fenobatbital. Tablets are prescribed to treat rapid heartbeat, vegetative-vascular dystonia. The most effective and safe drugs from this group are: Motherwort, Valerian (in tablets and liquid form), Magne B6, Concor, Hawthorn forte, Novo-Passit, Etacizin, Magneorot, Persen. Medicines reduce the frequency of tachycardia attacks and help normalize the functioning of the nervous system.

• Antiarrhythmic drugs

A wide group of drugs that can only be used as prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous, since any medications used during pregnancy can lead to uncontrolled side effects. The most common drugs in this group are: Adenosine, Verapamil, Propranolol, Flecanil. The tablets normalize the heart rate.

Since the treatment of tachycardia during pregnancy also depends on its type, we will consider the treatment of different types of rapid heartbeat:

• Tachycardia caused by various diseases

In case of ventricular tachycardia, urgent treatment is carried out. In case of a sudden attack, the woman should go out into the fresh air, take a tablet of Validol or Valocordin (these drugs are considered safe for eliminating attacks). After the woman is sent for inpatient treatment, doctors administer Quinidine, Novocainamide and other drugs from this group. Antiarrhythmic drugs are prescribed under medical supervision. If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with paroxysmal tachycardia, then antiarrhythmic drugs are administered intravenously.

• Physiological tachycardia

For the treatment of this type of tachycardia, drugs are practically not used, since the main therapy is a good rest. Walks in the fresh air, good nutrition, healthy sleep, no bad habits and positive emotions help to calm the rapid heart rate. If attacks occur very often, then the pregnant woman is prescribed magnesium preparations to restore the tissues of the heart muscle. The drug Panangin, which contains magnesium and potassium, is effective. To normalize the pulse, you can use Valerian, Corvalol, Motherwort and other herbal preparations that are safe for the expectant mother.

Prevention of tachycardia during pregnancy

Prevention of tachycardia during pregnancy is a series of measures that help prevent possible relapses of attacks of rapid heartbeat. Prevention is based on strengthening the female body so that it is easier for the expectant mother to cope with increased loads during the period of gestation. To do this, from the first days of pregnancy, it is recommended to perform a set of physical exercises, control weight, eat right and lead a healthy lifestyle.

In mild cases, the pregnant woman needs to drink more water and use special relaxation techniques to normalize the heart rhythm. If attacks of tachycardia occur frequently and are long-lasting, then you should seek medical help. The doctor will prescribe sedatives and vitamin-enriched drugs to normalize the work of the cardiovascular system.

• For preventive purposes, it is worth giving up bad habits, coffee, alcohol and nicotine. A woman should drink herbal infusions, juices, water and drinks that do not contain chemical or synthetic components.
• Healthy eating is also a guarantee of the absence of rapid heartbeat. A pregnant woman should limit the consumption of fatty, sweet and salty foods. The diet should include fruits, vegetables, cereals and other healthy products.
• A calm emotional state, absence of stress and nervous tension – protect against rapid heartbeat. If the increase in heart rate is associated with nerves, then the woman is prescribed potassium and magnesium preparations. This allows regulating the contraction of the heart muscles and maintaining water-salt balance.

Heart rate can be controlled by restoring the balance of the autonomic nervous system. To do this, you need to learn the technique of deep, calm breathing.

An attack of tachycardia can lead to loss of consciousness. In order to prevent this from happening, it is necessary to know certain techniques that will prevent fainting. At the first signs of increased heart rate, it is recommended to go out into the fresh air, take a comfortable position and wet your face and neck with cold water.

Prognosis of tachycardia during pregnancy

The prognosis depends on the type of tachycardia, the woman's age and pregnancy period, the presence of concomitant diseases and the results of early therapy. If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with sinus tachycardia, this may indicate heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction or other organic pathologies. In this case, the prognosis may be unfavorable, since supraventricular tachyarrhythmia can lead to serious consequences. If the rapid heartbeat is physiological in nature, the prognosis is favorable.

Tachycardia during pregnancy is a rather unpleasant symptom that many women face. Rapid heartbeat may indicate cardiovascular diseases or be a physiological reaction of the body to increased stress. In any case, this type of pathology requires diagnosis and medical care, as it can negatively affect the intrauterine development of the fetus and the health of the expectant mother.