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How Does Pregnancy Affect Heart Health?
Dr. Ryhm Radjef, a cardiologist at Henry Ford Health and Director of the Cardio-Obstetrics clinic and Heart Healthy Moms Program, talks about what happens to a women's heart health when she becomes pregnant.
Cardio-Obstetrics
Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful, especially if you have a heart condition. Henry Ford Health offers specialized care in the emerging field of cardio-obstetrics. We focus on pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care for women who have preexisting heart conditions and moms who develop pregnancy-related heart conditions.
Cardio-obstetrics at Henry Ford: Why choose us?
We offer a full range of heart care for women who want to become pregnant and women who are already pregnant. Turn to us for care if you:
- Have had a heart condition since birth or experienced any type of heart disease as an adult
- Need to manage high or low blood pressure in pregnancy
- Develop conditions related to high blood pressure in pregnancy or shortly after delivery
Women trust Henry Ford with their hearts because of our:
- Multidisciplinary approach: Many experts across multiple specialties come together in our Maternal Critical Care Conference to develop plans for high-risk pregnancies. The team includes specialists in: maternal fetal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, anesthesia including cardiac anesthesia, cardiology including cardio-obstetrics, gastroenterology, hematology, infectious disease, nephrology and pulmonology.
- Diagnosis with advanced imaging: To diagnose moms with heart conditions, we offer noninvasive heart imaging such as MRI (which uses a magnetic field to create images of the heart) and cardiac CT (which uses X-rays to produce detailed images).
- Minimally invasive treatment: We perform minimally invasive procedures that reduce the risk to mom and baby. For example, we can repair and replace heart valves with a small incision and a tiny tube called a catheter.
- Higher level of care: Henry Ford is a regional referral center for heart care because our specialists have significant experience with the most difficult heart concerns, including heart failure and heart transplantation.
- Clinical trials: We are one of 50 health centers nationwide enrolling patients in the REBIRTH trial (Randomized Evaluation of Bromocriptine in Myocardial Recovery Therapy). The three-year study examines the effect of drug therapy on patient outcomes for peripartum cardiomyopathy. This condition is when women have reduced heart function during the last month of pregnancy or up to five months after giving birth.
Your cardio-obstetrics visit: what to expect
The cardio-obstetrics team at the Women’s Heart Center tailors care to your needs and lifestyle. Our specialists address numerous pregnancy-related concerns. Our visits feature:
- Continuum of care: We manage your heart care before, during and after pregnancy so you can stay healthy to care for your baby.
- Focus on prevention: We discuss how to reduce risk factors for heart disease, such as obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Education and counseling: Our heart specialists can answer your questions about contraception (birth control) and breastfeeding.
Take the Get Heart Smart quiz
Learn about your risk factors for heart disease and get recipes and tips to lead a healthy lifestyle. Our Get Heart Smart quiz only takes a few minutes!
Contact us
Call to make an appointment with a cardio-obstetrics specialist at one of our locations:
- Henry Ford Medical Center - Second Avenue
6525 Second Ave.
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 876-4540 - Henry Ford Medical Center - Sterling Heights
3500 15 Mile Road
Sterling Heights, MI 48310
(586) 977-6216