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Postpartum cardiomyopathy is a condition of heart failure that occurs after childbirth. Although rare, this disease is classified as dangerous because it can cause fatal complications if treated too late. To find out more about postpartum cardiomyopathy, let's , see the following discussion.

Cardiomyopathy or weak heart can be divided into several types, one of which is postpartum cardiomyopathy which occurs in mothers who have just given birth. This disease usually appears within a few months (about 5–6 months) after delivery.

In addition to mothers who have just given birth, cardiomyopathy can also attack pregnant women, to be precise during late pregnancy. This condition is known as peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Postpartum cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disorder that occurs when the left ventricle or ventricle of the heart is enlarged or enlarged, so it cannot pump blood around the body smoothly. This results in sufferers experiencing heart failure or heart failure.

Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Cardiomyopathy

Women suffering from postpartum cardiomyopathy may experience signs and symptoms similar to those of peripartum cardiomyopathy, namely:

• Your chest is pounding
• Tires easily
• Shortness of breath during activity or when lying down
• Cough, especially when lying on your back
• Frequent urination at night
• Dizziness
• Chest pain
• Swelling of certain body parts, such as legs or feet

In mild cases, these symptoms may not bother you and people with postpartum cardiomyopathy can still carry out their normal activities. Conversely, in more severe cases, symptoms such as shortness of breath will get worse and the swelling will last longer after delivery.

If within a few months after giving birth you feel some of the above symptoms of postpartum cardiomyopathy, you should immediately consult a doctor.

The reason is, if treated late, postpartum cardiomyopathy can cause serious complications, such as heart rhythm disturbances or arrhythmias, heart valve abnormalities, heart failure, or even death.

Causes and Risk Factors for Postpartum Cardiomyopathy

The cause of postpartum cardiomyopathy is not certain. However, this condition is thought to be associated with increased heart work during pregnancy and childbirth.

In addition, there are several factors that are also known to increase a mother's risk of developing postpartum cardiomyopathy after childbirth, namely:

• Over 30 years of age when pregnant or giving birth
• Certain diseases, such as cardiomyopathy or heart muscle disorders, high blood pressure or hypertension, preeclampsia, myocarditis, and heart disease
• Obesity
• Virus infection
• Malnutrition
• Twin pregnancy
• Smoking habits and consuming alcoholic beverages during pregnancy
• Side effects of drugs

It is important that postpartum cardiomyopathy be detected as soon as possible before it develops into heart failure. Therefore, you need to immediately see a doctor if you experience symptoms of postpartum cardiomyopathy.

To diagnose postpartum cardiomyopathy, the doctor will perform a physical examination and supporting examinations, such as echocardiography or ultrasound of the heart, electrocardiography (EKG), chest X-rays, cardiac CT or MRI scans, and blood tests.

Management of Postpartum Cardiomyopathy

Women diagnosed with postpartum cardiomyopathy need to be hospitalized until their condition improves.

While the patient is being treated in the hospital, the doctor will provide several treatments to treat postpartum cardiomyopathy, such as:

Drug administration

Several types of drugs that are generally given to treat postpartum cardiomyopathy include:

• ACE-class drugs and beta blockers to help stabilize blood pressure and lighten the heart
• Digitalis drugs to strengthen the heart's pumping function
• Anticoagulant drugs or blood thinners to prevent blood clots from forming that can worsen cardiomyopathy
• Diuretic drugs to reduce the buildup of fluids from the body

Low salt diet

To reduce the workload of the heart and reduce swelling in the body, people with postpartum cardiomyopathy will also be advised to follow a low-salt diet.

In addition, sufferers are also asked to get plenty of rest, limit fluid intake, stop smoking, and not drink alcohol.

Women who have experienced cardiomyopathy during pregnancy or after childbirth are at risk of experiencing it again in future pregnancies. If this happens, the recurrent cardiomyopathy may be more severe.

Therefore, your doctor may advise women who have had postpartum cardiomyopathy not to become pregnant again.

Steps to Prevent Postpartum Cardiomyopathy

A mother's risk of developing postpartum cardiomyopathy can be reduced by the following steps:

• Consult an obstetrician during pregnancy and after delivery, especially if the pregnant woman has a history of certain diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, preeclampsia, and a history of heart problems
• Monitor weight gain during pregnancy and keep it ideal
• Have a healthy diet and reduce your salt intake
• Quit smoking, consuming alcoholic beverages, and using drugs without a doctor's recommendation
• Regular light exercise
• Manages stress well
• Get adequate rest time and avoid doing strenuous physical activity

Basically, peripartum cardiomyopathy and postpartum cardiomyopathy are similar conditions. If you experience symptoms of cardiomyopathy near the time of delivery or after delivery, please see your doctor for a checkup.

After confirming that you have postpartum cardiomyopathy, the doctor will provide the right treatment so that your condition does not get worse.

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