pregnancy and mildly Reduced EF

[Amy190]

Hi all,

So basically three years ago I had Covid, and started to get palpitations and chest pain. Luckily, I work with a cardiology consultant who sent me for an MRI and the findings were mildly reduced EF at 54% with hypokinesia in inferior wall and septum and mildly dilated left ventricle and mass, I’m 34 years old now.

My consultant believed this was down to potentially myocarditis from Covid, and expected for this to go back to normal. I had a CTCA and CAD was ruled out.

Had a follow up cardiac MRI in October 2024 and the changes in my heart had not got any better, the left ventricle had increased in size slightly and the mass, and my EF was 53%. It was reported as no substantial changes. Hypokinesia is still there.

My consultant was stumped and then said not covid. Unlikely cardiomyopathy as my symptoms had improved, no family history and no significant cardiovascular risk factors. So the conclusion that he came to with the reporting imaging consultant was that these changes were due to high BMI. My BmI was higher on my second scan which would back the theory that it’s weight related.

I have been going to the gym, weight lifting ( eating well to try and lose weight. As I have PCOS and irregular ovulation I did not think I would fall pregnant so soon, however I have and now I’m terrified that this is going to cause a lot more issues with my heart.

I’ve asked my consultant, and because the diagnosis is a theory and not certain, he has said he cannot give me the level of risk or if the pregnancy will make things worse because my Diagnosis is not 100% confirmed. We will only know with a follow up MRI once I’ve lost about 4-5 stone. He said I will have extra monitoring in pregnancy, but essentially he cannot tell me if pregnancy will be safe or not.

I now feel in a mess. This baby is so wanted, we’ve had four miscarriages , but we were hoping for a baby later in the year once I had lost the weight snd knew more about my heart. I know EF is not massively reduced, but my heart is already under strain and I’m so worried pregnancy is going to make things worse. I can’t bear to think about terminating.

Sorry for the long post, I just feel I have no where to turn.

[Skiffrower]

Amy, so sorry you are having to deal with this. My daughter had 2 valves replaced when she was 18 and became pregnant when she was 33. By that point her mitral valve had started to leak. She was monitored closely during pregnancy and had a specialist cardiac midwife assigned. Her son is coming up to 2 y. o .

Last year her checkup showed no deterioration in her heart.

I know that her heart issues are not the same as yours but this is just to reassure you that things can go well.

[Chloeb13]

Congratulations first of all.

I had cancer 4 years ago in 2021 and I fell pregnant in 2023. I was high risk because of the cancer treatment I had, but the cancer treatment also lowered my EF to 50% and they thought I had left ventricular systolic dysfunction, I too different with palpitations/skipped beats. I was admitted to hospital when I was 6 months pregnant due to increased heart rate and a lot of skipped beats, I was referred to a cardiologist and had another echo, my EF had actually improved to 59%, I spoke to my midwife about all this and towards the end I spoke to a consultant who went through it all and I would be monitored during delivery as I decided I wanted a planned c section as I’d had a c section with my eldest daughter. I had my son, everything went great. I saw the cardiologist yesterday and my EF has stabilised at 59% and I have been discharged. So what I’m trying to say is, having a baby does put a strain on your heart but it doesn’t mean that it’ll be permanent or it’ll get worse. Speak with your midwife and express your concerns so they can refer you to a specialist during your pregnancy. Advocate for yourself.

I hope you have a happy healthy pregnancy x

[Happyrosie]

Amy, to add to what’s been said.

Your experience is very similar to a work colleague of mine, 25 years ago, who was very overweight and had cardiovascular issues, though I can’t remember exactly what the issues were.

She changed to a diet where her calorie intake was reduced, with the full approval of her midwife and GP, the diet was basically an Mediterranean one. and she went through her pregnancy without losing or gaining any weight.

The beautiful little boy - I remember cuddling him!

If you are worried - that makes you a sensible person!

Congratulations on your pregnancy and do keep us posted.