Kika, who had pregnancy-related heart symptoms and Inbar Saporta, MD

Cardio-Obstetrics Clinic

We offer treatments and coordinate delivery planning for women with heart issues during pregnancy.

To find out more about our services or make an appointment.

It can be scary to have or be at risk for heart issues during pregnancy. You’re in some of the region’s most capable hands at Memorial Healthcare System. We have one of the few South Florida programs specializing in diagnosing, treating and monitoring heart issues in pregnancy. We deliver comprehensive care that protects your heart and growing baby.

What Happens to the Heart During Pregnancy?

Changes that occur in a woman’s body when she’s pregnant can cause stress on the heart and vascular system. Early in pregnancy, blood volume increases, and the heart starts working harder to circulate it. A pregnant woman’s resting heart rate is also quicker than usual. These changes can make existing heart issues worse or cause new ones.

What Is Cardio-Obstetrics?

Cardio-obstetrics is a subspecialty within adult cardiology that focuses on caring for women who have or are at risk for heart concerns. Eligible patients may be planning a pregnancy or are already pregnant.

Heart conditions can leave you bracing for the worst. Assistance from our experienced cardio-obstetrics experts can help you feel more confident about your pregnancy and delivery. We also deliver specialized care, when necessary, to help you avoid complications.

Our Cardio-Obstetric Services

Our comprehensive cardio-obstetric services include:

Personalized heart treatments: Some conditions require medications, like drugs that lower blood pressure. We choose options that are safe for your growing baby. We may also recommend managing stress, eating a heart-healthy diet and getting enough sleep.
Monitoring during pregnancy: You may need additional appointments and periodic testing to monitor your heart health. These regular touchpoints help us determine whether additional treatments are necessary.
Delivery planning: We meet with other specialists to help plan a safe delivery. The team includes maternal-fetal medicine doctors who manage high-risk pregnancies. Cardio-anesthesiologists provide heart-safe pain management services during delivery.
Postpartum care: Some forms of pregnancy-related heart disease increase your lifetime risk for cardiac issues. We may recommend ongoing monitoring to catch the early signs of cardiovascular disease so that you receive timely treatment.
Preconception counseling: If you’re at risk for obstetrical heart issues, we meet with you before you get pregnant. These conversations may cover pregnancy risks, contraception choices and steps to ensure a safe pregnancy.

Heather’s Adult congenital Heart Disease, High-Risk Pregnancy Story

Is the Cardio-Obstetrics Clinic Right for Me?

A consultation with one of our cardio-obstetric specialists may be right for you if you have:

High blood pressure
Diabetes
Congenital heart disease
Valvular disease
Heart rhythm problems
Pulmonary hypertension
History of heart attack or stroke
History of heart failure

Signs of a Heart Issue in Pregnancy

You may benefit from a cardio-obstetrics evaluation if you’re experiencing:

Chest pain
Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
Palpitations (sensation that your heart is racing or pounding)
Shortness of breath
Swelling in your feet or ankles

Risk Factors for Heart Disease During Pregnancy

You may face a higher likelihood of pregnancy-related heart issues if you have:

Congenital (present at birth) issue, like a heart anomaly
Existing high blood pressure or preeclampsia, which is high blood pressure that occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy or within three months after delivery
Existing diabetes or gestational diabetes
Heart issue that occurred during a previous pregnancy
History of heart disease, including valvular heart disease or pulmonary hypertension
Previous pregnancy resulting in preterm delivery

Types of Heart Issues in Pregnancy We Care For

Conditions we diagnose, manage and treat include:

Adult congenital heart disease: Heart problem that a person is born with
Arrhythmia: A heartbeat that’s too fast, too slow or irregular
Cardiomyopathy: An inherited or acquired heart condition that makes it hard for the heart to pump blood efficiently to the rest of the body
Gestational hypertension: High blood pressure without protein in the urine
Myocardial ischemia: Reduced blood flow to the heart
Peripartum cardiomyopathy: Rare type of heart failure that occurs near the end of pregnancy or in the months following delivery
Preeclampsia: High blood pressure along with protein in the urine
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: A sudden tear in a blood vessel supplying the heart
Valvular heart disease: Issues affecting heart valve tissue flaps that help blood flow in the proper direction

Cardio-Obstetrics Clinic: Why Choose Us?

When you come to Memorial for cardio-obstetrics, you’ll find:

Women’s heart disease specialists: We are one of the few programs in South Florida with cardiologists who excel in treating heart issues during pregnancy. Our specialists stay current with the latest research so you receive safe, effective care — even for complex issues. Meet our team.
Compassion: Concerns about your heart and growing baby, along with discomfort from symptoms, can weigh heavily on your mind. We are here for you with encouragement and practical tips that help you feel better.
Easy access: If you’re at risk for heart complications during pregnancy, our cardio-obstetric specialists can see you within a few days. Between visits, we’re available by phone and virtually via MemorialMyChart.

To find out more about our services or make an appointment.

954-265-7900 Request an Appointment

nurse measuring pressure of pregnant woman

Pregnancy and Your Heart Condition

When you are pregnant, your body makes extra blood to fuel you and your baby, your heart pumps harder, and it may also go through sudden changes in blood pressure and blood flow during labor and delivery. If you have a heart condition, this extra stress could affect your health.