Navigating Pediatric Cor Pulmonale: A Comprehensive Review of Diagnosis and Management
Mom Survives Severe Heart Failure During Pregnancy, Urges Awareness Of Warning Signs
CINCINNATI (WKRC) — A mother who faced life-threatening heart complications during her pregnancy is now on a mission to raise awareness about the early warning signs of heart failure in expectant mothers. Amie Pinsenschaum was late into her pregnancy when she rushed to the emergency room, struggling to breathe.
"I had been up the whole night before sitting up because I felt like I was drowning when I laid down," said Pinsenschaum.
Initially treated for asthma, Pinsenschaum was transferred to a specialized team at Ohio's UC Health. Dr. Carri Warshak, a maternal fetal medicine specialist, explained the challenges of managing pregnancy alongside heart disease.
"Pregnancy and heart disease often do not get along very well," said Warshak.
Pinsenschaum's heart was failing, with an ejection fraction of just ten percent, far below the normal range of over fifty to sixty percent, according to Dr. Juliane Vierecke, a heart failure specialist at UC Health.
The UC Health pregnancy-cardiac team acted swiftly, taking Pinsenschaum into a cardiac catheterization lab. The situation escalated, leading to an emergency C-section to deliver her baby, Kylee.
"They were preparing for a post-mortem delivery, they were anticipating the baby was going to be deceased," said Pinsenschaum. However, both mother and baby survived the ordeal.
"They put me on the heart transplant list," Pinsenschaum said, reflecting on the critical moments. Now, both she and her daughter are healthy.
"It's unbelievable, she's my miracle baby, we both survived the most traumatic thing that I don't want anyone else to go through," said Pinsenschaum.
Pinsenschaum, alongside her medical team, is dedicated to educating women about the signs of heart failure during pregnancy. Dr. Warshak highlighted symptoms such as increasing fatigue, shortness of breath with mild or moderate activity, inability to lay flat, and swelling of the ankles.
"The problem, of course, is those are all also common symptoms of pregnancy," said Warshak. The team advises women to consult their healthcare providers if they have any concerns.
What You Need To Know About Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition where the heart becomes too weak to pump blood efficiently. Over time, this leads to fluid buildup in the lungs and other parts of the body, making it harder for organs to function properly. CHF often develops due to high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, or diabetes.
Recognizing the symptoms early is crucial because early intervention can improve quality of life and slow the progression of the disease.
Common Symptoms of CHF
Shortness of BreathOne of the first and most noticeable signs of CHF is difficulty breathing. This can happen during physical activity, while at rest, or even while lying flat. In severe cases, shortness of breath can wake a person up at night, requiring them to sit upright for relief. This occurs because fluid builds up in the lungs, making it harder to take in enough air.
Persistent Cough or WheezingSome people with CHF develop a chronic cough or wheezing. The cough may get worse when lying down and could produce white or pink mucus, which is a sign of fluid buildup in the lungs.
Swelling (Edema)CHF can cause noticeable swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen. This happens because the heart struggles to pump blood properly, leading to fluid retention in the lower body. Swelling might worsen as the day progresses but often improves after resting overnight.
Fatigue and WeaknessWhen the heart isn't pumping enough oxygen-rich blood, the body prioritizes sending blood to essential organs, leaving muscles tired and weak. People with CHF may feel exhausted even after light activities.
Loss of Appetite and NauseaA less commonly recognized symptom of CHF is feeling full or nauseated, even after eating small amounts. This occurs because the digestive system doesn't receive enough blood flow, slowing down digestion.
Confusion or Memory ProblemsReduced blood flow to the brain can cause confusion, disorientation, or difficulty concentrating. This is more common in older adults with CHF.
Rapid or Irregular HeartbeatTo compensate for its reduced efficiency, the heart may beat faster than usual, creating a sensation of racing or throbbing in the chest.
Sudden Weight GainRapid weight gain over a few days could be a sign of fluid retention, indicating that CHF is worsening.
Managing CHF
While CHF is a chronic condition, proper management can slow its progression and improve daily life. Treatment usually includes:
Lifestyle Changes
MedicationsDoctors often prescribe drugs to reduce the heart's workload, eliminate excess fluid, and improve heart function.
Medical Devices or SurgeryIn some cases, pacemakers, heart pumps, or bypass surgery may be needed to help the heart work more efficiently.
The Future of CHF Treatment
Ongoing research is leading to new medications, better heart devices, and improved treatments to help people with CHF live longer, healthier lives. With early detection, lifestyle adjustments, and proper medical care, many people with CHF can manage their symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.
If you or a loved one experience symptoms of CHF, seeking medical attention early can make a significant difference in treatment and outcomes.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
Severe Infections Double Risk Of Heart Failure
Key TakeawaysA severe infection that requires hospitalization can put you at increased risk for future heart failure
People hospitalized with an infection have a more than doubled risk of heart failure years later
The risk is tripled for the most common and hardest-to-treat type of heart failure
MONDAY, Feb. 3, 2025 (HealthDay News) -- Landing in the hospital with COVID or the flu can put your heart health at dire risk, a new study suggests.
Adults hospitalized for a severe infection are more than twice as likely to develop heart failure years later, according to findings published Jan. 30 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
The results underscore the importance of getting recommended vaccines and protecting oneself during the cold and flu season, experts said.
"These are 'sit-up and take notice' findings," Sean Coady, deputy branch chief of cardiovascular sciences at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, said in a news release.
"While there's already a reasonable body of evidence linking previous infections with heart attack, this study is focused on heart failure, which has been less studied yet affects an estimated six million Americans," added Coady, who was not involved in the study, which the National Institutes of Health funded.
For the study, researchers followed nearly 14,500 adults 45 to 64 for up to 31 years, from 1987 to 2018. None had heart failure when the study started.
People who wound up hospitalized due to an infection had a 2.35 times higher risk of developing heart failure, on average about seven years after their initial illness, results show.
The association with heart failure was consistent regardless of the type of infection that landed a person in the hospital.
These included respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections and infections acquired while in the hospital for another condition, the study says.
In particular, severe infections tripled the risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which occurs when the left side of the heart is too stiff to fully relax between heartbeats.
HFpEF is the most common form of heart failure among seniors over 65, and the one with the most limited treatment options, researchers noted.
Nearly half of the study participants experienced an infection-related hospitalization, emphasizing the huge impact that infectious diseases might have on America's heart health, researchers said.
Even though the study couldn't prove a cause-and-effect link between severe infections and heart failure, the results indicate that people should still consider common sense ways to keep severe infections at bay, senior researcher Ryan Demmer, a professor of epidemiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., said in a news release.
In particular, people at high risk for heart disease who experience a severe infection should talk with their doctor and make sure they're doing everything they can to protect their heart health, Demmer said.
Future research should focus on solidifying the link between infections and heart failure, he added.
More information
Harvard Medical School has more on infection and heart health.
SOURCE: National Institutes of Health, news release, Jan. 30, 2025
What This Means For YouPeople should protect themselves against infectious diseases, as these illnesses can impact their future heart health.
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