Pregnant women with heart defects don't always get this recommended test

By ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News

JGI/Tom Grill, Getty Images
(GI/Tom Grill, Getty Images)

Women with heart defects experience far more cardiovascular problems during pregnancy than those without, yet only half get a recommended test to assess their heart health before giving birth, according to new research.

The study, published Monday in the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ journal , found that during pregnancy, women with congenital heart disease experienced adverse conditions 34 to 63 times more often than those without heart defects. The conditions included high blood pressure in the lungs, heart rate problems, dangerous heart rhythms and cardiac arrest. But just 56% of these women received the comprehensive echocardiograms experts recommend.

"We were surprised that some conditions were up to 63 times more prevalent," said lead author Karrie Finn Downing, an epidemiologist at the Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Women with CHD and their doctors should be aware of this greater level of risk so there's more communication between the two during pregnancy. They need echocardiograms to assess the heart's health and to identify any problems early in pregnancy."

In the United States, about 40,000 babies are born each year with congenital heart defects, a condition that affects the structure of the heart and how blood flows to the rest of the body. These defects can be fatal. However, a growing number of people born with CHD are living longer and healthier lives.

Researchers estimate there are now roughly 1.4 million U.S. adults living with CHD. So, more women with the condition are living long enough to start families and, as they do, hospital deliveries for pregnant women with CHD have increased.

The AHA, American College of Cardiology and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend doctors use echocardiograms as part of a comprehensive assessment of heart health for these pregnant women. The painless test uses ultrasound to visualize the heart beating and pumping blood to detect abnormalities.

The study did not address why half the women who should have gotten echocardiograms did not.

But one reason may be that some health care providers are not aware of the guidelines, said Dr. Laxmi Mehta, professor of medicine and director of preventive cardiology and women's cardiovascular health at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. She recently chaired an expert panel that authored an AHA recommending pregnant women with heart conditions receive specialized treatment from a collaborative team, including an obstetrician, cardiologist, anesthesiologist, maternal-fetal medicine specialist and nurses.

As women with CHD grow up and transition from seeing pediatric to adult health care providers, "some may lose their cardiologists," said Mehta, who was not part of the new study.

"They may be followed by a primary care physician and an obstetrician, or getting care from a midwife who may not have formal training on CHD or be aware of the recommended cardiac guidelines. Just because guidelines exist doesn't mean they are being implemented. We need to increase education regarding these guidelines for the entire health care team so both the severe and less severe CHD patients get appropriate guideline-recommended care prior to, during and after pregnancy."

While failing to get an echocardiogram may not lead to worse outcomes for some pregnant women, it could delay identifying problems that affect the mother's health, she said.

"Those who don't get assessed in time could run into delayed recognition of issues such as heart failure or worsening underlying valve disease. Pulmonary hypertension could worsen," Mehta said. "Even if they get an echocardiogram, these things could occur. But close monitoring means the sooner you catch it, the sooner you can address it by tailoring medication and delivery plans."

If you have questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].


ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News Stories

ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News stories reflect the official position of the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ scientific journals or presented at ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥â€™s official guidance, policies or positions.

Copyright is owned or held by the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt from or reprint these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ News.

Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥â€™s Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service.

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.