Dyspnea and Palpitation during Pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: Dyspnea and palpitation are common features of pregnancy. While several theories have been put forward to explain the etiology of gestational dyspnea and palpitation, there have been few systemic studies of its incidence, severity and time-course in a group of normal women. METHODS: We interviewed postpartum women, within 3 days after delivery, about dyspnea and palpitation. Separately from this interview, we performed 24-hour ECG monitoring for obstetric patients with palpitation before delivery. RESULTS: The subjects interviewed were 261 women, of whom 37.5 percent and 11.5 percent experienced dyspnea and palpitation, respectively. These symptoms had a tendency to increase to term. The presence of arrhythmias could be documented in only 22% of patients having 24-hour Holter monitoring. CONCLUSION: Dyspnea and palpitation were common among normal pregnant women and had a tendency to increase to term.