Preeclampsia and Future Heart Problems...?

2 weeks after I had my twins I was diagnosed with postpartum cardiomyopathy. I was put on meds, and had to have echocardiograms, 6 months later, and now it is every 1-2 yrs. I am still on meds, however the condition has corrected itself, so I will find out how much longer I need to be on the meds ( it has been 7yrs).

It was a very scary time for me, but since it has corrected itself I am relieved. I exercise, get my cholesterol checked, and see my cardiologist every year.

I would just go see a cardiologist and see what they say.

I'm not quite sure if you're also asking for info that might help you in a future pregnancy or not, so please forgive me if what I have to offer is not a part of what you're asking for...

In terms of future pregnancies...For the past 80-100 years researchers have been finding ways in which elevated BP and pre-eclampsia can be prevented or treated through nutrition. This website can give you more information about that...

http://www.drbrewerpregnancydiet.com/id11.html

In terms of your question about future heart problems, I have a couple of different perspectives on that.

The first one is to say that what causes elevated BP in pregnancy is most often completely different from that which causes elevated BP in the non-pregnant body. Usually what causes an elevated BP in the pregnant body is an abnormally CONTRACTED blood volume from an inadequate amount of certain kinds of foods, while what often causes an elevated BP in the non-pregnant body is an abnormally EXPANDED blood volume (through heart disease, circulatory disease, kidney disease, and/or liver disease). Those who would put both kinds of BP elevation in the same box are making a mistake which can often lead to inappropriate and ineffective medical treatments.

The second perspective that I have for you on this part of the question is that having said that, it can definitely be a part of the picture that the process of Pre-Eclampsia can result in damage to the tissues of several internal organs, including the heart. So it seems very possible to me that for some people that heart damage could be permanent. But it also seems very possible to me that with the proper attention to nutrition and extra vitamin supplements for the post-partum or otherwise non-pregnant body, that damage could be healed to the point where it would not cause future problems.

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/PAG00099

The third bit of info that I would like to pass on to you is that it is ok for the cholesterol levels of the pregnant body to be higher than is good for the non-pregnant body. The placenta is secreting about the equivalent of 100 birth control pills a day in hormones, and these hormones protect the mother from any potential ill-effects from any elevated cholesterol levels that she may incur from eating the foods that she needs for pregnancy, or that she may incur from the pregnancy processes themselves.

I hope that this helps.

Best wishes,
J.

Hi -

I have never heard that preeclampsia can be an indicator for future heart problems, but wanted to say GOOD FOR YOU! for making a plan now to stay healthy. Regular exercise and good nutrition will do wonders for you. My doctor prescribes regular cardio workouts first and foremost to control blood pressure. Be sure to include stress relieving activities in your fitness routine - stress can have a huge impact on BP.

Hi B.,
I have not had preeclampsia so I'm not sure on that side of your question, but I do know that you certainly can (and should) take your health into your own hands and take a proactive approach. Its not encouraged enough in this country - doctors are forced to wait until we're really sick and then they just focus on disease and medication. So things that are good for cardiovascular health: exercise, healthy diet low in saturated fats, fiber, a multivitamin and nutritional supplements like B Complex, Omega fish oil and CoEnzyme Q-10. You want really pure quality supplements that actually contain what they claim to contain and actually do what they claim to do. I am a rep for Shaklee and can give you more information but their vitamins and supplements really are the best - much different than other things out there and you obviously want something that works if you're going to spend money on it and trust in it helping you.

Good luck!
K.
www.K.-oneill.myshaklee.com

I am no expert on preeclampsia but at the end of my pregnancy my blood pressure got high, higher than yours. It dropped a little bit but still remained undesirable.

Now, there might be some correlation between prenatal and postnatal BPs, BUT I decided to make some pretty important lifestyle changes and have not had an issue since (I'm now 110s/60-70s and 30 weeks pregnant).

I wanted to try nutritional and exercise changes before trying drugs. I wasn't opposed to going on drugs, I just thought I should try to do everything I could before resorting to medical maintenance. I did a complete overhaul of my diet, adopted an almost-all clean eating regiment, and exercised (cardio and weight training) 5 times a week.

6 months after being on this plan, I had another physical and came out with the stellar BP results, and all my other blood work was great too.

Obviously ask your doctor but realize that there are healthy lifestyle changes that you can make that can perhaps have a significant impact on your overall health. The pre-eclampsia may just be one factor; there are other factors that you may be able to control.