.... it's Neuro-Cardiogenic Pre-Syncope?
The good news is that my heart is physically healthy and what is going on is a complication of pregnancy that should resolve within 3 months of giving birth.
Neuro-Cardiogenic Pre-Syncope? <-- what's that !?!
Can happen by one of 2 pathways.
#1: blood volume depletion - by water volume from the blood pooling in my tissues and blood pooling in varicose veins. Complicated by standing for too long of periods (ie.work), dehydration, and hot environments. Heart rate increases to compensate for low volumes - leads to the symptoms I’ve been experiencing.
#2: vasovagal (nervous system) reaction - causes blood vessels to dilate and blood pools with gravity -> a drop in blood pressure -> increased heart rate to compensate for decreased blood volumes reaching vital organs such as the brain. Caused by: hunger/low blood sugar, uterus resting on blood vessels, stress, sleep deprivation, and HORMONES.
The heart murmur? Its normal in pregnancy to develop some form of benign (harmless) heart murmur (extra sounds) due to the increased blood volume needed to sustain the baby/pregnancy.
The solution they gave?
- > Eat salty foods (namely pretzels). Water follows salt. If I increase my sodium levels water will follow and help restore my blood volumes.
- > Wear high pressure compression stockings. To prevent blood from pooling in my legs (pathway #1) AND so that when I have a vasovagal reaction (pathway #2) and my veins try to dilate it prevents them from dilating too much and thus making the symptoms less.
- > Since many of the triggers are things that occur at my work and may contribute to symptoms:
increased activity and being on my feet for extended periods; hunger/low blood sugar (breaks? what breaks - I'm lucky if I can grab my sandwhich at eat it standing at the desk; stress -> they suggested taking 2 weeks off to try and reduce the number of episodes/severity of symptoms.
- > Journal episodes: triggers, symptoms, relieved or not relieved by rest and follow up in 2 weeks
The BIG question: is this harmful to baby?
NO. When my heart rate is even up to 140 blood flow to my organs (uterus and placenta too) is adequate. They are concerned when a persons heart rate reaches number of around 180 and symptoms are lasting for an extended period of time - then blood flow to organs may be compromised. So the goal is to get symptoms under control so that it will not get to that point.
Another baby bump photo coming soon!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Pregnancy Update
Over the past two months I've started having heart palpitations - my heart will race from 120-140 beat per minute. At first I thought nothing of it but soon realised that it would race not only after climbing a flight of stairs (which would be normal), but also at rest like while reading in bed (not normal). Sometimes accompanied by these palpitations I get chest discomfort, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, nausea and see stars or have tunnel vision. Each of these symptoms alone are not uncommon in pregnancy - but having them all together is not. These episodes would last for five to ten minutes and occur once a day or once every two days.
The episodes have been increasing in frequency and duration. The other day I had an episode that lasted nearly 45 minutes. I called my doctor and they asked me to come in for a check-up. Upon examination she discovered that I have developed a heart murmur (an extra sound). The discovery of the heart murmur, coupled with the increasing frequency and duration of these episodes, lead her to referr me to a group of specialists in 'Medical Disorders in Pregnancy' - to further investigate. They ordered a 24hour heart monitor (a holter monitor) to try and capture what is going on. It measures rate and electrical conductivity/rhythm of the heart. I have an appointment with the group of specialists tomorrow - Wednesday Nov 23 at 11am. Hopefully they will have the holter monitor results and will be able to tell me if this murmur and symptoms are cause for concern or just something I will have to bear for another 3 months
Some of you have asked:
Am I concerned? Not really - The episodes are uncomfortable but not untolerable. I think excessive worry will only make it worse. I'm interested to hear what the specialist has to say about my symptoms and what the monitor report has told them. I mostly want to know if these episodes have an adverse effect on the baby, which IS my primary concern.
For the most part I have been feeling great. This pregnancy thing is pretty fun, a real miracle. Feeling life in there is awesome! We are getting more and more excited to meet this little person.
My managers at work have been good to me - they have been very accommodating with doctors appointments and vacation requests. I will likely go off work one month early around January 20 (most nurses do go off before their due date because of the nature of the work). Between now and mid-January I'll be working 2-3 days/week with regular days off and vacation days in between.
I'll try to update tomorrow after the specialist appointment - once I have more info.
The episodes have been increasing in frequency and duration. The other day I had an episode that lasted nearly 45 minutes. I called my doctor and they asked me to come in for a check-up. Upon examination she discovered that I have developed a heart murmur (an extra sound). The discovery of the heart murmur, coupled with the increasing frequency and duration of these episodes, lead her to referr me to a group of specialists in 'Medical Disorders in Pregnancy' - to further investigate. They ordered a 24hour heart monitor (a holter monitor) to try and capture what is going on. It measures rate and electrical conductivity/rhythm of the heart. I have an appointment with the group of specialists tomorrow - Wednesday Nov 23 at 11am. Hopefully they will have the holter monitor results and will be able to tell me if this murmur and symptoms are cause for concern or just something I will have to bear for another 3 months
Some of you have asked:
Am I concerned? Not really - The episodes are uncomfortable but not untolerable. I think excessive worry will only make it worse. I'm interested to hear what the specialist has to say about my symptoms and what the monitor report has told them. I mostly want to know if these episodes have an adverse effect on the baby, which IS my primary concern.
For the most part I have been feeling great. This pregnancy thing is pretty fun, a real miracle. Feeling life in there is awesome! We are getting more and more excited to meet this little person.
My managers at work have been good to me - they have been very accommodating with doctors appointments and vacation requests. I will likely go off work one month early around January 20 (most nurses do go off before their due date because of the nature of the work). Between now and mid-January I'll be working 2-3 days/week with regular days off and vacation days in between.
I'll try to update tomorrow after the specialist appointment - once I have more info.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
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