Already a member? Sign in
What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.
Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.
How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!
I'm 33 and I have a 3 year old. About 3 months after he was born I had a MI. I was wondering if any other women have had a baby after a heart attack and what were the results. Was the baby healthy? Were you on tons of meds. I know I will have to see an high risk pregncy doctor and that I will be on some meds. Just wanted some insight.
Thanks
Exercise Procardia Lipitor Adoption Pregnancy Plavix Anxiety Angina Altace Lupus Costochondritis Stress Asthma Heart disease Confusion Aspirin Pain Heart attack Depression
I had my first heart attack at the age of 33 and it was 3 months after the premature birth of my second child. I then got pregnant and gave birth to my third child at the age of 36, almost 4 years after my heart attack. I did have to see a high risk ob-gyn for the pregnancy and the only medication I was on at the time was to regulate my blood pressure. My son was born healthy and is now 17 years old. I actually found out that I was pregnant with him on a trip to the emergency room with angina, I hadn't even missed my period yet, so I was extremely surprised to find out that no, I was not having a heart attack, but yes, I was pregnant. I accused the doctor of trying to give me a heart attack by telling me that, Of course, it was all in good fun and he laughed with me. I was carefully monitored throughout my pregnancy and the only problem I had was dealing with the type of birth. I had opted for a c-section, since my previous 2 pregnancies resulted in that, but the doctors had the opinion that a vaginal birth would be less stressful on my heart. With my first child, I was in labor for 6 days before they decided to do the c-section, so I knew what labor was all about and I also knew what my recuperation from the c-section would be like and in the end, I was able to give birth by c-section because they then decided that since it would be done under the scrutiny of the chief of anesthesiology, that it would be better that way. So, in answer to your question, yes, I have given birth after having a heart attack and my child turned out healthy. However, everyone is different and I would definitely seek the opinion of your cardiologist and ob-gyn for your case.
Did your doctor say what caused your MI ? Was it related to pregnancy? I hope you can get some good answers. My experience for what it's worth:
I had severe spells of chest pain at age 36 after my 5th baby (starting 11 days postpartum) but I was told it was costochondritis (chest wall inflammation) as I had no cardiac risk factors ( I have since learned that chest pain postpartum should raise suspicion of coronary dissection) .
The attacks did not feel like inflammation to me though, and I never trusted the diagnosis (I went to emgcy room after several 'attacks" over several day, and realizing it was not going away). To me they felt like sudden crushing pain in my chest and spreading to my arms and back, whereas my idea of inflammation would be something more ongoing, not so crushing ( I would literally end up on the floor), and not to so "attack" like.
These pains fortunately remitted in two or so months, but I never quite forgot about them. Then I had a healthy sixth pregnancy (age 39) no symptoms (except usual episodes of racing heart during pregnancy, which I considered normal-but maybe not) but my labor was much more relaxed as I had my first epidural. So in my 5th pregnancy I had severe chest pain (MI?) but in my subsequent pregnancy not- so it is possible to have subsequent healthy pregnancy-but of course I was not on any heart meds.
Regarding the 6th pregnancy my ob-gyn decided on the epidural b/c my previous labors had been precipitous (no time for meds!) so a slowed down labor was the objective, and the epidural worked (giving me a nearly 3 hour labor as opposed to 30-45 minutes- which may sound nice but can cause unecessary trauma to mother and/or baby) I don't know if this less traumatic labor prevented recurrence of chest symptoms. My precipitous labors did feel like something massively out of control traumatic and chaotic.
Then recently (age 44) I had a severe crushing pain in my chest and recalled my episodes fom age 36 so went straight to emgcy where this time they checked troponin and found I had an MI , and it was diagnosed as dissection in cath lab(2 stents). Two days later in recovery I had an untreatable spasm (turned into MI) and got another two stents. I could not really tell any difference between spasm or dissection. Both were crushing and rendered me nearly passing out. My cardio said my earlier symptoms at age 36 could have been either or both (and likely was NOT just inflammation) and that dissections can heal on their own. And maybe spasms can cause dissections, but there in no way to know for sure.
I don't know if (pregnancy/perimenopause) hormones( I don't seem to be perimenopausal but could be) or viral autoimmune reaction ( I was recovering from a virus) or mild autoiimmune syndrome (raynauds-though full blown lupus exists in my family) , or stress, (special needs children) or exertion (I had been moving furniture) were triggers. I had no risk factors. Physically fit , healthy weight, daily exercise, good diet ,low cholesterol, good HDL. Only thing was my blood pressure was a bit high in my last check-up but not enough for my regular doctor to remark (120 over 80-which was was high for me based on typical readings of more like 110 over 60 or so). I had even been on a heart healthy diet the year prior b/c my husband was worried about heart disease in his side of the family. So I joined his diet, though had not had an excessively poor diet before that.
Probably the biggest factor I can think of (prior to recent MI) was severe stress related to special needs in more than one of my children, but it could be that stress exacerbated something (about my arteries) that was already there or was flaring up....
Just throwing this out- I learned that otherwise benign adrenal tumors ("pheocromocytomas" causing excess catelcholamine secretion) can cause MI in peripartum period, and cause symptoms similar to panic attacks as well and/or MI symptoms. This may be another condition to suspect (though very rare) in peripartum women with heart symptoms or MI. Or it can be suspected in any panic attack sufferers, with no heart disease, who end up with MI. I don't think it is something doctors typically check for (to look for excess catelcholamines in urine-which requires a more sensitive test than usual).
Somehow I ended up seeing this condition online when looking up catelcholamines b/c my cardio had mentioned how coronary dissections may occur in cocaine users (as well as potspartum) b/c the drug causes sudden excessive release of catelcholamines (I was not a cocaine user though!).
Anyway, I hope you find the answers you need. I would have been scared to face my 6th pregnancy as a heart patient, so I don't know if it was better or not to be undiagnosed! And as for my recent ( 6 mo ago) spasm/dissection. No one knows cause or prognosis, but I feel pretty normal, so not really worrying about it.
Hi! I just had my first baby in March (at 31 years old) and had a heart attack when he was 6 weeks old. I am in perfect health otherwise other than asthma, I'm not a smoker, overweight, and have a fairly healthy diet. Anyway, they determined that my MI was caused by vaso spasms since my angiogram did not show any blockage and there was no permanent damage to my heart- triponin levels showed up. I did a google search and no longer feel alone with this seeing all of you having the same problem. It's so rare I've had nobody to talk with about it. We also want to have another child and have been advised to wait a year. I am on Procardia and baby aspirin and really don't want to be on any medication during a pregnancy although I am nursing my baby now. I too am looking for any advice or encouragement here. It's very scary!
Wow! Welcome to womenheart - the heart sisters here are wonderful and obviously can answer all questions!
And it occurs to me that all of us sisters can anticipate being "aunts" for all these babies. I do hope you will share any and all good news here.
How exciting that HD doesn't hold you back from living your life to its fullest.
My heartfelt best wishes to you all,
Laura
I am 27 years old. This year, in March, I had a heart attack. I had angioplastey and 2 stents put in. It was traumatic and totally out of left field. There is no history of heart disease in any of my family, and my age, made it even more odd. I had no indication before the attack that there was anything wrong with me. I smoked (not heavily-if that counts for anything), was on birth control (total of 2 years) and overweight. HOWEVER, the cardiologist said that regardless of those 3 things, this would have happened. I have since quit birth control and smoking (the day it happened). The weight thing has been more difficult, but I am working on that, excericising, reducing sodium intake..etc etc..I am on Lipitor, bisoprolol, altace, aspirin and plavix. The doctors hope that I will be able to go off some of them. I had one of my cardiologists bring up pregnancy...and that with the drugs I am on, and the stress it puts on your heart, that it would HAVE to be discussed and planned.
I am single, and wanted nothing more than to have children, at this point...I would be more than happy to have one. I don't know if adoption is an option. Do agencies want to give children to single people who had a heart attack? Is it an issue, if the person is since healthy?
Right now is especially rough, with all friends and siblings having children and I think I might not be able to. I am at the age when it starts to happen. A year ago at this time, I was thinking early thirties, now I don't know if ever...it really does break my heart because I love children, and wanted one of my own. Being an auntie is so special, but its not the same. I want to get the chance.
Please let me know if anyone knows of a similar instance. I need to know so I can do something.
;)
Hey, I am 34 and have an 8 year old son (2001) and would like more children. I was diagnosed with heart disease (3 stents) in 2004 and have been every since. I am a strong survivor like all of us on this site. I spoke to my OB doc and she said it would be difficult and that I would be monitored throughout the entire pregnancy. I had a c-section with my 1st and I am interested in finding out if others had complications during their pregnancy or after as a result. I am hopeful that I can have another child, understand that I am high risk, and would like to hear from someone that has a similar situation.
Dear Dee81
When I read your story it mad me so sad. We are the same age and I think it would be good for us to talk. I am new to this group.'When I was 24 I had a Heart Attck and have struggled alot. Luckily I had 2 kids when this happened and I am so thankfull, I still am desperate for another baby and also have babies being born all around me and it makes it hard, most of the time I can deal with not having anymore babies but it so hard at the other times to shake the need for another. I cant imagine how hard it is for you and I am really sorry you have this to deal with at a young age. Im have felt a lot of different emotions about what happened depression, anger, fear and anxiety and struggled loosing weight and confusion I know that you must still be in the stage of a lot of fear and confusion as to why this has happened to you I still feel the same after 3 years.
Anyway enough of my gagging I hope we can talk and help each other through this, look forward to hearing from ya.
cass
its nice to read that im not the only one with the same problem. I am 34 and im now pregnant with my third it has been almost 3 years since my MI.
What my OB told me was if my heart attack happened within 2 months from giving birth it could be due to pregnancy if not then there is nothing to worry about, just stopped all my meds and try to avoid the things that make me get symptoms like getting too upset, or eating too much or eating the wrong food :)
So now, I try not to gain too much weight just enough for the baby and no food with too much sodium.
Dee,
Even if they don't allow adoption, but I'm sure they do :), foster care would love someone willing to take in a child or a family of children. Any parent can tell you it is not the physical act of carrying a child that makes you a parent. It is the walking the floor, the skinned knees, the love, the fights... everyday life.
I have spent quite a bit of time looking into foster care with a cousin who has had trouble carrying her pregnancies. Her biggest fear would be getting a child who was too far damaged in the system that she couldn't help them. What we have found out is that if you take in siblings, they have often that familal bond going strong and want to form a family with you so they can stay together with their siblings. And they are less likely to be adopted out to someone else.
Just something to think about...
Ice,
Follow the advice of your cardio very closely maybe even get a 2nd opinion. If they give the green light, good luck!!! If not, remember you have an obligation to the 1 you have to stay alive & as healthy as possible!! Live mom to 1 vs. dead mom to 2. But you already knew that or you wouldn't bother researching the outcomes!! I already had my kids when I got sick so it was never an issue for me. I'm just thankful that its a decision I didn't have to make because I can honestly say I don't know what I would have done. Good Luck making your decision!!
Amy
Hello All,
Unfortunately I had another MI exactly one year to the day after my first. I have a huge team of doctors investigating the case. They dont know why it happens. They think it is something to do with the lining of my arteries and not the actual heart, although there was damage done to it from the first one. It is something that actually happens to pregnant people... They tore the artery while doing my angiogram, and I have to take it easy physically for another couple months.
But anyways, about pregnancy. I had been soooo sad about not being able to have one. I have a cardiologist (not mine, but the one @ my rehabilitation) tell me I was to not get pregnant and it may not be an option. One small blessing from my last event is that the doctors and the huge cardiac team they have at the hospital I go to told me it was possible, almost makes me cry thinking about it. I was so relieved. I am in the process of losing weight, which I feel will help me down the road to getting pregnant (I am single...so if you know anyone...KIDDING!). I will have to go off some of the medication and be high risk, but I am willing.
My younger sister had her first baby yesterday, and I am thrilled to be an Auntie! But I would like to be a Mom one day, and I will :D
Add to the discussion