Heart attack after childbirth, what causes it?

Some women are at risk of having a heart attack after giving birth, even if they never had a history of heart disease before pregnancy. What caused it?

What causes heart attack after childbirth?

Heart attacks generally occur due to plaque clogging in the arteries which causes the blood supply to the heart muscles to be blocked. A heart attack can also be caused by narrowing of the blood vessels.

However, in new mothers, heart attacks after childbirth are caused more by a sudden tear in the artery wall. In the medical world, a spontaneous tear in an artery is called a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). According to the American Heart Association, nearly 30% of SCAD cases occur in women who have recently given birth. About 80% of patients who have had a previous SCAD are fairly young, healthy, and active women.

The artery wall has three layers. If a tear occurs in the inner wall layer, blood flow that seeps out can get trapped between the other two layers and eventually form a clot (thrombosis). The blood clot then slows down blood flow to the heart. Heart muscle and tissue that do not receive oxygen will continue to experience damage and eventually die.

SCAD doesn't know the exact cause. However, in women who have just given birth, the risk can be affected by changes in body hormones, decreased collagen production, and changes in the blood clotting process during the recovery period.

In addition, the risk of heart disease after childbirth can also increase due to the weight gain of the heart muscle. During pregnancy, the heart muscle will pump up to 50 percent more blood than before pregnancy. The heart muscle becomes weak, causing the heart to enlarge. As a result, the heart cannot work optimally to pump blood throughout the body.

If not treated quickly, SCAD can cause heart rhythm abnormalities, heart attacks, and even sudden death.

What are the signs and symptoms of a heart attack after childbirth?

Women in general need to be more observant about the symptoms of a heart attack. Often, the only symptoms that appear are extreme tiredness, nausea and / or dizziness. In addition, a number of complaints such as fatigue and dizziness are also common among women who have just given birth.

In addition, SCAD is difficult to diagnose because tearing of a blood vessel usually causes no symptoms.

However, it's a good idea to be aware of some of the typical signs of a heart attack in women, such as:

Chest pain / pain, or chest discomfort
Fast heart rate
Pain in the arms, back, shoulders, neck, or jaw
Hard to breathe
Nausea
Dizzy
The body feels very tired, more than usual
Sweating more than usual

How do doctors diagnose a heart attack after giving birth?

If you suspect you or another closest relative is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, see your doctor immediately.

The doctor can confirm whether the heart attack was really caused by a SCAD - especially if the test results do not show the fatty plaque buildup typical of atherosclerosis.

How to treat a heart attack after childbirth?

Treatment and care for a heart attack after delivery will be tailored to your condition, including the location of the torn artery and any symptoms you have.

Generally, doctors can prescribe drugs that can restore blood flow to the heart, such as aspirin, blood thinners, drugs for blood pressure, drugs to control chest pain, and cholesterol medications. Medication therapy must be done regularly to monitor the condition of your heart. The doctor may also place a heart ring (stent) through an artery surgery.

To prevent this risk, make sure you always have regular health checks during pregnancy, as well as routine pregnancy checks. If there are complaints related to shortness of breath and chest pain during pregnancy, consult a doctor immediately.