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Your Heart Matters

Your health is our priority

During your check-up today, screening tests showed that you have a higher chance of having heart problems.

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Heart disease is the leading cause of death during pregnancy or after pregnancy in the United States.

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Heart disease can be present before you are pregnant, develop during pregnancy, or it can happen after childbirth

WHAT FACTORS INCREASE MY RISK

  • Using nicotine, cocaine, alcohol, or meth
  • Having a history of chemotherapy
  • Having had preeclampsia in any pregnancy (including current pregnancy)
  • Having family members with heart disease less than 55 years old


  • Age: 40 years old or older
  • Black/African American race
  • Obesity: BMI of 35 or more outside of pregnancy
  • Diabetes outside of pregnancy
  • High blood pressure


RACE AND HEART DISEASE

Experiencing anti-Black racism negatively impacts heart health through

  • Personal encounters of racism
  • Structural racism, the built-in unfairness towards Black people in the systems of our society


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HOW SCREENING WORKS

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Doctor with Stethoscope Checking on Patient Vital Signs
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Pregnant Woman Consulting an Obstetrician
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Pregnant women medical examination.
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Woman with Chest Pain Working in the Office

Vital signs during your visit and risk factors (see above two slides)

Symptoms you shared during the visit

What your doctor found during your physical exam

You may have a higher chance (risk) of heart disease

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WHAT AM I AT RISK FOR?

During pregnancy and after childbirth

Long-term risks after pregnancy

  • High blood pressure
  • Heart failure younger than 55 years old
  • Stroke younger than 55 years old
  • Diabetes
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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

You will need to have blood work done and an electrocardiogram

(EKG)


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Your doctors may order an ultrasound of your heart called an echocardiogram (echo)

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Your doctors may refer you to a heart doctor and a high-risk pregnancy doctor

WHAT SHOULD I DO IN THE MEANTIME?

Be aware of concerning symptoms that may signal heart complications during and after pregnancy

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath with little or no activity
  • Constant cough
  • Bloody cough
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  • Severe swelling
  • Fainting/Passing out
  • Heart pounding
  • Heart skipping a beat
  • Feeling unusually tired

You Matter !

Questions?

Contact your provider

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