Pregnancy is a joyful time filled with excitement and love. You are growing a new life inside you, and your family is celebrating this blessing. But pregnancy is also a time when your heart works extra hard to support both you and your baby.
Many South Asian women don’t know that pregnancy can affect their heart health in important ways. Heart problems during pregnancy are rising, especially among women from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The good news is that knowing about these risks can help you protect yourself and your baby.
Your heart deserves care during this special time. Let’s learn how to keep it healthy.
Why Pregnancy Affects the Heart
During pregnancy, your body goes through amazing changes. Your heart has to work much harder than normal. Here’s what happens:
- Your blood volume increases. Your body makes about 50% more blood to feed your growing baby. This means your heart has to pump much more blood every minute.
- Your heart beats faster. Your heart rate goes up by 10–20 beats per minute. It’s like your heart is exercising all the time.
- Your blood vessels change. They become more relaxed to help blood flow to your baby. But this can also cause your blood pressure to drop at first, then rise later in pregnancy.
- Your body uses more oxygen. Both you and your baby need oxygen, so your heart and lungs work harder.
These changes are normal, but they can be challenging for women who already have heart problems or who develop them during pregnancy.
Hidden Risks for South Asian Women
South Asian women face extra challenges during pregnancy. Research shows that women from our communities have higher risks for certain pregnancy complications that can affect the heart:
- Gestational diabetes happens when your blood sugar gets too high during pregnancy. South Asian women have the highest rates among all ethnic groups. Studies show:
- Up to 36% of South Asian women develop gestational diabetes (compared to about 6% of other women)
- This happens because of genetic factors and how our bodies process insulin
- High blood sugar during pregnancy can strain your heart and blood vessels
- High blood pressure can develop during pregnancy, even if you never had it before. This includes:
- Gestational hypertension (starts after 20 weeks)
- Preeclampsia (with protein in urine or other organ issues)
Preeclampsia is especially dangerous and may cause:
- Damage to your heart muscle
- Problems with how your heart pumps blood
- Increased risk of heart disease later in life
What Are the Warning Signs?
Call your doctor right away if you have:
- Severe shortness of breath
- Chest pain or pressure
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Severe swelling in face, hands, or feet
- Dizziness or fainting
- Severe headaches
- Changes in vision
- Upper belly pain (especially on the right side)
Other warning signs:
- Extreme tiredness that doesn’t get better with rest
- Trouble breathing when you lie flat
- Waking up at night unable to breathe
- Coughing up blood or frothy spit
What to Ask Your Doctor
Important questions to ask at your prenatal visits:
- About your heart risk:
- “Am I at higher risk for heart problems because I’m South Asian?”
- “Should I get any special heart tests during pregnancy?”
- “What should my blood pressure be during pregnancy?”
- About gestational diabetes:
- “Am I at risk for gestational diabetes?”
- “When will I be tested for diabetes?”
- About preeclampsia:
- “What are the early signs of preeclampsia?”
- “Am I at higher risk for preeclampsia?”
- About monitoring:
- “How often should I have checkups?”
- “Should I monitor my blood pressure at home?”
After Baby is Born
Your heart health remains important after delivery. Risk factors may include:
- High blood pressure (2–4x risk)
- Type 2 diabetes (8–10x risk)
- Heart attacks/strokes (2–4x risk)
- Heart failure (4x risk with preeclampsia)
For South Asian women, these risks are often higher. For example:
- 11x risk of type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes
- One-third develop diabetes within 8 years
- Heart disease starts 10 years earlier on average
Cultural Connection
In South Asian families, women often put others first. But taking care of your heart helps you care for your family in the long term. Don’t feel guilty for prioritizing your health.
Action Checklist
During pregnancy:
- Check your blood pressure regularly
- Attend all prenatal appointments
- Eat heart-healthy foods
- Limit salt and oil
- Stay active (with doctor’s approval)
- Get enough rest
- Take prenatal vitamins
After pregnancy:
- Follow up on blood pressure or diabetes
- Continue eating heart-healthy meals
- Ask about long-term follow-up appointments
- Know your blood pressure, sugar, cholesterol
Long-term:
- Make time to rest
- Exercise regularly
- Manage stress
- Don’t smoke
Pregnancy is Powerful — So is Your Heart
Your heart works hard during and after pregnancy. Supporting it means you’re supporting your family and future. Prioritizing your heart is a smart and loving choice.
Citations:
- Boyer, T. et al. Association of Prepregnancy Cardiometabolic Factors With Gestational Diabetes Among Asian Populations in the United States. JACC: Asia. 2024;4(8):601-611.Link
- Lamri, A. et al. The genetic risk of gestational diabetes in South Asian women. eLife. 2022;11:e81498.Link
- Minhas, A. et al. Asian and Pacific Islander women may be at greatest risk for preeclampsia complications. American Heart Association News. January 24, 2023.Link
- Syed, M. et al. Causes and consequences of gestational diabetes in South Asians living in Canada: results from a prospective cohort study. Canadian Medical Association Journal Open. 2017;5(3):E604-E611.Link
- Brown, H.L. et al. Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Unique Opportunities for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Women. Circulation. 2021;143(18):e902-e920.Link
