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Symptoms & Risk Factors

Pregnant woman — PPCM awareness

Difficulty Breathing

This includes severe shortness of breath anytime sitting, when walking, climbing stairs, or even lying flat. Symptoms may get worse at night. Chest pain &/or tightness in the chest and heart often is mistaken for something less serious; this can include a heaviness, tightness, pressure or pain.

Also:

  • — Heart Palpitations or skipping beats
  • — Fast Heart Rate
  • — Orthopnea
  • — Coughing

Fainting or Dizziness

This includes sensations of feeling like you're going to pass out, especially while seated or standing.

Pay attention to:

  • — Low blood pressure or may drop when standing
  • — Hard time brushing your hair
  • — High Blood Pressure
  • — Excessive Fatigue
  • — Mood Disorders

Swelling & Weight Gain

This unusual weight gain is mainly due to an increase of fluid in the body, especially in the arms, hands and feet; if more than 2 pounds in 1 day, or 5 pounds in a week, see a cardiologist immediately.

Look out for:

  • — Swelling of the ankles & neck veins
  • — Increased nighttime urination
  • — Morbid Obesity
  • — Gestational Diabetes
  • — Preeclampsia
  • — Malnutrition
  • — Pain in abdomen
  • — Dyspnea

PPCM can Affect your Gums & Teeth

Teeth can be BIG tell tale signs of heart issues.

Important Note

PPCM "Peripartum Cardiomyopathy" symptoms typically get worse AFTER giving birth because PPCM does not generally peak until DURING or AFTER a new mom gives birth.