Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), is an often unrecognized form of heart failure that occurs during pregnancy or up to 6 months postpartum. The condition weakens the heart muscle and causes the heart to become enlarged. As a result, the heart can't pump blood properly to the rest of the body.
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Awareness Week In Texas Is May 10- May 17, thanks to our founder, Brianna Harris-Henderson for getting the T.X. governor to sign our proclamation request in 2022.
Symptoms of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy includes:
Rapid heartbeat or Palpitations
Heavy Chest Pains
Excessive Fatigue
Tiredness during physical activity
Shortness of breath
Swelling of feet and ankles
Increased Urination at night.
Does this sound familiar?
PPCM warning signs can mimic pregnancy signs!
There's no known factor to diagnose it, which is why, many PPCM patients' symptoms worsen after birth, causing them to need Medical Devices, Heart Transplants, or Even lose their life!
If all obstetricians ran an NT-proBNP blood test during 36+ weeks gestation, more PPCM patients will have a 90% chance of recovering.
More awareness is needed for PPCM so that women who will be diagnosed can be given timely and appropriate treatment.
Know the signs, and ask questions.
Risk Factors:
- Older maternal age (>30 years old)
- Pre-eclampsia
- Eclampsia
- African American descent
- Family history of heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Multiple births
- Heart murmur
- Hyperemesis gravidarum
- Fertility treatments
- Covid-19
- Family history of heart disease
Possible Causes:
• Angiogenic imbalance
• Altered prolactin processing
• Genetic, inflammatory, hormonal, hemodynamic, and autoimmune factors
Management of this challenging disease is similar to other forms of systolic heart failure, and unfortunately, only 30% to 50% of patients recover completely. We are recommending all expecting mothers and postpartum mothers request a BNP blood test, known as NT-proBNP.
BNP vs. NT-proBNP:
Differences between BNP and NT-proBNP on a biological level really relate to the fact that one is biologically active as a hormone, BNP, whereas NT-proBNP is cleared passively from the body and is not biologically active. Therefore, BNP has a much shorter half-life, NT-proBNP has a longer half-life.
A Normal Pregnancy Or PPCM?
Important Information
- At Let's Talk PPCM, we host PPCM workshops for health care providers and awareness.
- We have created a unique screening tool that can help bridge the gap in this area.
- Our organization shines the light on PPCM stories across the nation, helping survivors become advocates and gain a voice for themselves.
- Each diagnosis of PPCM is different and doesn't happen the same in every woman. Some recover quickly and some do not at all. We encourage BNP blood tests for all pregnant women.
- We believe telemedicine can help when it comes to the lack of support from a PPCM patients environment. Cardiac rehab requires PPCM patients to seek a ride or risk driving themselves for treatment. Small workouts at home should be provided.
- The babies who come from a PPCM mother should also be evaluated closely, as sometimes PPCM can affect the unborn.
- Most black women are taught to pray about it instead of getting the help that's needed.
- Some black women may feel they won't get the proper care if there is no other black physician present. This can also increase maternal mortality in the black community.
- We noticed in all races, that some women don't like taking medication passed 6 months. Some postpartum women may think it's (extra) taking care of themselves, due to the stress of caring for other children or new babies.
- We want to help encourage ALL mothers that they are important and that their body matters!
