Cardio-Obstetrics Program

Pregnancy, while wonderful and exciting, can create a new set of health challenges for some women. For women with pre-existing heart disease, specialty care may be needed to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Occasionally, pregnancy-related cardiac conditions may occur and require consultation with a cardiologist. Also, after delivery, women who have been diagnosed with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, peripartum cardiomyopathy, and other cardiac complications should continue to follow up with a cardiologist to mitigate future risk of cardiovascular disease.

The Cardio-Obstetrics Program at Cooper and Inspira Cardiac Care is a resource for women who are considering pregnancy or are currently pregnant and have an underlying heart condition and those who have a pregnancy-related heart condition. Our cardiologists work within a multidisciplinary team that includes obstetricians, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, obstetric anesthesiologists, and other specialists to provide complete and comprehensive care for pregnant women with heart conditions. 

Heart-related risk factors before pregnancy

Women with the following risk factors have an increased chance of maternal mortality because of a cardiac event:

• Age older than 40.
• High blood pressure.
• Obesity.
• Tobacco use.
• History of arrythmia.
• History of heart failure.
• Heart disease as a child (congenital heart disease).
• History of heart surgery.

Warning signs of heart disease during pregnancy

If you experience any of the following symptoms during your pregnancy, be sure to reach out to your obstetrician:

• Chest pain.
• Trouble breathing when doing little or no physical activity.
• Fainting or passing out.
• Feeling unusually tired.
• Heart palpitations.
• Severe swelling, particularly in your feet.

Understanding the risk factors and the warning signs of heart disease can help you to get the care you need.