Key result
Normal physiological pregnancy changes mimic cardiac disease and require careful differentiation from true pathology.
Why the study?
Physiological changes during pregnancy can mimic symptoms of medical disease, making it crucial to differentiate normal from pathological changes in pregnant patients.
It is crucial for clinicians to differentiate between normal physiological changes of pregnancy (such as sinus tachycardia and systolic murmurs) and pathological signs of heart disease.
Differentiation of pregnancy physiology from pathology may reduce misdiagnosis; leaves open need for validated cardio-obstetric criteria.
Pregnancy is a dynamic process, which induces a multitude of anatomic, physiological, biochemical, and psychological changes. Physiological changes during pregnancy allow the body to meet the increased metabolic demands of the mother and fetus by maintaining adequate uteroplacental circulation, and ensure fetal growth and development. These changes begin early in the first trimester and are brought on by the increased circulating levels of progesterone and estrogen, which are produced by the ovary in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and thereafter by the placenta. While some of these cause a change in biochemical values, others may mimic symptoms of medical disease. For instance, cardiac changes such as sinus tachycardia, systolic heart murmurs, and cardiac enlargement could be interpreted as signs of heart disease. It is thus crucial, to differentiate between normal physiological changes and pathological changes, particularly for clinicians involved in the care of pregnant patient. How to cite this article: Gangakhedkar GR, Kulkarni AP. Physiological Changes in Pregnancy. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021; 25(Suppl 3):S189-S192.
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Gauri Raman Gangakhedkar (2022) conducted a review in Pregnancy. Normal physiological changes during pregnancy, such as sinus tachycardia and cardiac enlargement, mimic symptoms of medical disease and must be differentiated from pathological changes by clinicians.
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