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A viewer asks, "I'm pregnant, and I've been having heart palpitations. What does this
mean? When should I worry, and which kind of physician should I see, if they continue?"
First of all, heart palpitations are not uncommon, in just the general population. About 25 percent
of people will have it some time in their life, where their heart is beating rapidly
or slightly irregularly. In pregnancy, we know that changes in the body can also lead
to an increased instance of heart palpitations. For one thing, the heart rate during pregnancy
goes up about 25%, because of the extra blood flow to pass through the uterus and all. We
also know that, during the second trimester of pregnancy, a woman's blood pressure often
drops. So, when she goes, say, from a sitting to a standing position, she may have a faster
heart rate or palpitations as her blood pressure tries to return to a normal state. A third
reason some women may have heart palpitations in pregnancy is because the uterus, as it
grows bigger, can put pressure on those large blood vessels that supply the heart, and sometimes,
if that happens and those vessels have gotten a little pressed on, the heart may beat more
rapidly for a time. So, knowing that those things are all normal and can happen, when
should you worry? If you notice an episode where your heart is beating much faster, say,
faster than 120, 140 beats a minute, for about two minutes, it would be a good idea to let
your obstetrician know. If you have symptoms, such as fainting, or chest pain, or headache,
or things like that, along with heart palpitations, that would be another good time to call your
doctor. Your obstetrician can usually do an exam and see if your heart is usually beating
regularly, and if they are just short episodes of it beating faster; and, if there are prolonged
episodes like that, may well, indeed, refer you on to a cardiologist, but your obstetrician
is a good place to start. So, know that these symptoms can be normal, but if they are prolonged
or have other symptoms, please let your doctor know.