Noreen
My name is Kris and I am a cardiac registered nurse. I never really paid attention to how many admissions we get with the diagnosis of postpartum cardiomyopathy. I have a little boy that is 9 months old. Upon returning to work, I took care of a 25 year old that had a baby a month after me. She had a severe case of postpartum cardiomyopathy. Her doctor spent a great deal of time with her, her husband, and her family discussing all the possibilities. The possibilities ranged from her completely recovering within 6 months on her medication, her heart size and pump returning somewhat to normal, heart function remaining the same, or getting worse. Her prognosis would best be described as guarded because each person responds to the medications differently. If her heart function stayed the same or deteriorated, she was facing the possibility of heart transplant. Luckily for her, her heart function did improve but did not return to normal. She is on medications to help her heart function and another pregnancy is highly advised against because it would likely have devastating effects on an already compromised young heart. Had her heart function returned to normal, they probably would have let her try another pregnancy but under close supervision. You need to find a cardiologist that you can really talk to and go with a whole list of questions written down. You'll hear terms like EF which is your ejection fraction or a measure of your hearts pumping ability. An EF > 50% is considered normal. I would want to know what my EF was when first diagnosed and what it is now. They can measure your EF by performing an echocardiogram (an ultrasound on your heart). Your doctor may seem vague with answers as far as prognosis because he/she cannot predict how you will respond to the medications. 6 months to a year out is a different story. He/She should have some idea of how your heart function is. It's always good to ask questions like am I at higher risk for things like congestive heart failure or arrythmias and what symptoms should I report to you? How often do I need to follow up? People who have an enlarged heart which lowers there EF are at risk for congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure is where the heart doesn't pump as well so sometimes the fluid backs up in to the lungs. These are the usual symptoms that people present with when diagnosed with postpartum cardiomyopathy. Arrythmias are an irregular heart beat. Some arrythmias are serious and need to be treated with medications or a defibrillator. Bottom line, You need and you deserve answers. There is more than one cardiologist in the world so find one you feel comfortable talking with. If all else fails, ask the nurses at your local hospital that work with these doctors who they would recommend. I am brutally honest with my patients regarding the docs and there bedside manner. Good luck and God Bless you and your little one
Posted on Mar 7, 2004, 6:46 PM from IP address 205.188.209.74