Physiological Changes in Cardiovascular System during Normal Pregnancy: A Review

Abstract

Pregnancy is a complex biological process associated with changes in physiologic functions of the body. Dramatic changes take place in the cardiovascular physiology leading to gradual adaptation of these changes by the body of the pregnant woman. Cardiac output increases during pregnancy to 30 to 50% above the prepregnant levels. The increase in cardiac output occurs due to increase in stroke volume initially during gestation and later by increase in heart rate. These changes in cardiac output are attributed to either neurohumoral factors such as estrogen and progesterone or placental factors. Maternal body position affects cardiac output with highest in kneel-chest and left lateral positions. Along with these changes, variations in heart rate, blood pressure, and blood volume are observed following a specific pattern of change during pregnancy. Hence, it is necessary to understand the cardiovascular changes during pregnancy to interpret, predict, and diagnose any cardiac disease efficiently.