Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare type of heart failure that happens late in pregnancy or in the months after delivery. Because this condition may affect your pregnancy and cause lasting damage to your heart, prompt care is essential.
The cardiologists at UPMC have expertise in treating women with peripartum cardiomyopathy.
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Peripartum cardiomyopathy (also called postpartum cardiomyopathy or PPCM) is an uncommon condition that causes a pregnant woman to develop heart failure.
This condition happens at the end of pregnancy or within a few months after giving birth. It causes a reduced ejection fraction — meaning it weakens the heart’s ability to pump. This lowers the amount of blood the heart pumps to the rest of the body.
When this happens your heart can't pump enough blood and oxygen to your organs.
In the U.S., PPCM is rare. It only happens in 1 in about every 2,500 deliveries.
The type and class of PPCM depend on the symptoms, which may vary in severity. Classes of PPCM include:
Heart doctors aren't sure what exactly causes PPCM.
Most women receive a diagnosis of heart failure after delivery. But experts believe PPCM is caused by changes to a woman's body during pregnancy.
Certain types of heart disease or your genes might also play a role in causing peripartum cardiomyopathy. However, many women with PPCM don't have a family history of heart failure.
Several factors may increase your risk of developing PPCM, including:
It's vital to treat PPCM to reduce the risk of long-term damage to your heart. And, if you develop PPCM during pregnancy, it can affect your unborn baby's health.
Your doctor may plan an early delivery to reduce the risk of problems for you and your baby.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy complications for the mother include:
Your baby can also suffer from hypoxia, which means they can't get enough oxygen.
There is no way to prevent PPCM. However, you can take steps to keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk by:
It's crucial to tell your doctor if you have a history of heart damage or if you've had PPCM in the past. That way, they can watch for any early signs.
The symptoms of peripartum cardiomyopathy are like those you might have late in a normal pregnancy. That can make this condition hard to detect, or it might cause you to delay going to the doctor.
Common symptoms of PPCM are:
Many women don't have symptoms until after their baby is born.
Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms during or after your pregnancy. If your symptoms are sudden or severe, dial 911 or visit the nearest hospital emergency room.
If you have symptoms of PPCM or a history of heart problems, your doctor will screen you for the condition.
To diagnose PPCM, your doctor may:
Your doctor may order an echocardiogram to see how well your heart is pumping blood. This painless test uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart.
Your doctor will diagnose peripartum cardiomyopathy if:
With proper treatment, about half of the women who develop PPCM deliver healthy babies and go on to make a full recovery. For a small number of women, PPCM is severe, progresses quickly, or doesn’t completely go away. However, even if a woman recovers completely, PPCM may happen again with future pregnancies.
Women with PPCM can live full and active lives. Around 50 percent of women make a complete recovery, and most women can manage their condition with ongoing treatment. If you have been diagnosed with PPCM or your doctor suspects you may have PPCM, you should be evaluated by a heart failure specialist.
Treatment goals for PPCM are to relieve symptoms and protect you and your baby. You may need to stay in the hospital until your symptoms are better and your condition improves.
PPCM treatment options may include:
Your doctor might recommend lifestyle changes to help your heart work better, such as:
Make sure to talk with your doctors about future pregnancies. Another pregnancy may be dangerous to you and your future baby if your heart isn't strong enough.
There are many safe and effective forms of birth control you can use with PPCM.
Doctors often use drugs to treat PPCM. Medications can:
Your doctor will tell you if you'll need medications for the long term.
They may also ask you to wear a vest that tracks your heart rhythm and prevents dangerous irregular heart rhythms.
If your heart becomes too damaged, you may need a mechanical support device. These devices help your heart pump blood to the rest of your organs or prevent life-threatening heart rhythms.
These might include an:
A small percentage of women with severe PPCM may need a heart transplant.
Many women fully recover or remain stable and healthy for a long time with the help of medicines and lifestyle changes. But in some women, their heart function can remain weak or get worse with time. Your doctor will discuss your condition, treatment, and prognosis with you.
At UPMC, our cardiologists:
Medically reviewed by Jennifer Kliner, CRNP on 2024-10-01.
