Does pregnancy affect gradient?

[Shannon]

Hi All,

I'm just wondering if anyone out there may know the answer to this question: Does pregnancy cause a rise in the gradient pressure in women with HCM?

I am about 3 1/2 months pregnant and I went to my Cardiologist last week for an ECHO. I had just had one in January (because of elbow surgery) and it was at about 50 and even then they said it might be that high because I was dehydrated. Last week they got a reading of 114!! Up until now my highest reading was 110 and that was pre-ablation 2 years ago. I feel NOTHING like I did before the ablation. I have no SOB or chest tightness. I feel fine! How can I possibly be at 114?! My doctor said that the pregnancy MAY have something to do with it, but she wasn't sure. She wants me to have another ECHO done in 3 months, but if the pregnancy is the cause of the high reading shouldn't we just wait till after the baby is born?

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Shannon -- Colorado Springs,CO

[Cynaburst]

Re: Does pregnancy affect gradient?

Shannon - All I can tell you is that I had a negligible to no gradient before I was pregnant, and then during the pregnancy, my gradient increased, and has continued to rise after the birth of my now 2 year old son. I don't know if there is a correlation, but mine definitely worsened.

Also, my septum thickened in pregnancy, and then went back down after.