Risk factors that can increase chances of sudden cardiac arrest during pregnancy

Pregnancy-related sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is an uncommon but potentially fatal condition.

Several risk factors raise the likelihood of SCA during pregnancy including:

• Pre-existing cardiac disorders: Pregnant women who have cardiac conditions such as arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart diseases, or congenital heart disease are more likely to experience SCA. Hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia and persistent hypertension also increase the risk of cardiovascular problems during pregnancy.
• Diabetes: Women who already have diabetes are more vulnerable, particularly if it is not well controlled. Moreover, women who get gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) are also at higher risk of developing cardiovascular complications.
• Overweight and Obesity: Overweight and obesity can put undue stress on the cardiovascular system and raise the risk of SCA during pregnancy.
• Maternal age: A higher risk of cardiovascular problems during pregnancy is linked to mothers 35 years of age or older at the time of pregnancy.
• Multiple pregnancies: Women who are expecting twins or higher-order multiples may be at higher risk due to an increased cardiovascular burden.
• Habits: Habits such as smoking, substance abuse and excessive consumption of alcohol increases the chance of heart-related problems, such as SCA in pregnant women.
• Absence of prenatal care: Undiagnosed and untreated medical issues might result from insufficient or infrequent prenatal treatment.
• Family history: The risk may be higher if there is a history of heart disease or sudden cardiac arrest in the family.
• Medications: Certain medications may have negative cardiovascular effects in pregnant women.
• Clotting disorders: Clotting disorders that make people more likely to develop blood clots might raise the risk of thromboembolic events during pregnancy, which can have an impact on the heart.
• Excessive stress: During pregnancy, high amounts of stress may increase the risk of heart-related issues.
• Infection and sepsis: Infections and sepsis may be potential risk factors for sudden cardiac death in pregnant women as they may cause cardiac dysfunction.

Pregnant women must receive appropriate prenatal care, which includes evaluation and treatment of any pre-existing medical issues.

It’s critical to get medical help right away if a pregnant woman has known risk factors or experiences symptoms like dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, or chest pain.

SCA is a medical emergency, and the mother’s and the child’s lives may be saved with prompt detection and treatment.

This Article is Authored by Dr. Sujatha Ganigi, Consultant – Non-Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru