CHENNAI: Priya* delivered a baby through a C-Section at a local hospital. She and her doctor ignored the chest pain she frequently suffered. A week after she was discharged from the hospital, she suffered a massive cardiac arrest and was rushed to a tertiary care where an ECG showed extensive changes and doctors had to go for an emergency angioplasty with stenting.
Doctors diagnosed that the woman suffered pregnancy-related spontaneous coronary artery dissection or SCAD, a rare acute coronary syndrome that can prove fatal if not treated immediately. The woman had frequent chest pain during her pregnancy but neither she nor her doctor took it seriously.
Medical experts in the city say SCAD affects women during their peripartum period, which is the last month of gestation or the period after delivery. Further, those diagnosed with pregnancy-induced hypertension are at high risk of developing this syndrome. However, not many are aware about this syndrome.
“SCAD happens due to hormonal changes during pregnancy that weaken the coronary blood vessels. Though statistically this is a very rare syndrome, it is catastrophic if not treated. I have seen only three cases in six years,” says Dr Vijay C Reddy, Senior Consultant and Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals.
Doctors warn that pregnant women should particularly consult doctors immediately if they develop pain in the chest, jaw or backache radiating to both hands. “People think that women in the age group of 25 to 35 won’t have heart problems. Previously, pregnant women ignored symptoms and later died not knowing the cause. Even many gynaecologists and obstetricians are not aware of this. People should understand that a chest pain in a pregnant woman is not always harmless like how they dismiss it as gastritis,” Dr Reddy adds.
Pregnancy induced hypertension itself is seen in at least six to 10 per cent of all pregnant women to be suffering from PIH, as doctors observed that obesity has become one of its major causes.
“Obesity has increased among the total population. Hence, it is possible that the rate of PIH could be increasing. Pregnancy induced diabetes is also more,” said Dr Padma, Global Hospital.
PIH mostly occurs after six months of pregnancy and first time mothers are those that are more prone to get it. If left undetected and untreated, doctors said it could affect both the mother and the fetus.
However, early detection of PIH can help bring it under control. “Good antenatal care is very important. Patients come early to us and they are regularly monitored. Hence, we can help bring the BP under control if we pick up things early. But if the BP doesn’t come under control even after treatment, then we plan for an early C-section to save both the mother and the child,” explained Dr Nithya Ramamurthy, Senior Consultant Gynaecologist, Fortis Malar Hospital.