Are You at Risk for Heart Disease After Pregnancy?

Interventional cardiologist Saira Samani, MD, discusses the risk factor of developing heart disease after pregnancy. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in America. Symptoms of chest pain, extreme weight gain or swelling, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath when lying down, fast heartbeat and fainting may be a sign of developing heart complications during pregnancy.

“When you develop problems during pregnancy, it’s a marker for future cardiovascular diseases,” Dr. Samani said.

If you are experiencing heart problems, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, monitor your health and go to all of your prenatal appointments. The team at Ochsner Women’s Heart Clinic are experts in addressing heart health concerns specific to women.

There are differences in heart disease between men and women. Women with heart or cardiac risk factors tend to have more severe heart disease initially. Our team council and treats women who have significant risk factors for heart disease, which include diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipemia, a current or prior smoking history, sedentary lifestyle, prior chemotherapy for breast cancer and prior radiation to the chest wall.

Click here to learn about Women’s Cardiology Care at Ochsner Health.

Click here to learn about Interventional Cardiology.