Rapid sinus rhythm is a phenomenon of cardiac arrhythmia that can occur in all individuals, including pregnant women. In some cases, rapid sinus rhythm during pregnancy may have certain effects on the health of the expectant mother as well as on the development of the fetus, therefore pregnant women need to be diagnosed and treated for this condition as early as possible.
1. Rapid sinus rhythm during pregnancy
During pregnancy, a mother’s body undergoes many changes to adapt to the development of the fetus throughout the gestation period. For the circulatory system, women also experience significant changes, one of which is a typical arrhythmia characterized by a heart rate that is faster than normal, known as rapid sinus rhythm.
In a normal state without any underlying health issues, the sinus rhythm ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. With rapid sinus rhythm during pregnancy, the measured heart rate is usually about 10 beats per minute faster than normal. Additionally, some symptoms that may accompany rapid sinus rhythm include shortness of breath during pregnancy, palpitations, weakness, fatigue, etc. Therefore, if there are any suspicious symptoms, the pregnant woman should visit a reputable medical facility for an early examination.
2. Does fast sinus rhythm during pregnancy have any effects?
Some women, when pregnant, will see their bodies enhance certain activities to provide a larger volume of blood to maintain bodily stability and to supply energy to nourish the fetus, so the appearance of fast sinus rhythm in these situations is inevitable. At this time, the mother does not need treatment as the body will automatically recover after a period of rapid heartbeat.
Conversely, if the mother experiences fast sinus rhythm along with other circulatory symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations, or heart pounding… or if she has a history of cardiovascular diseases or arrhythmias, she needs to be examined and diagnosed for fast sinus rhythm at medical facilities, from which timely treatment measures will be implemented.
If fast sinus rhythm during pregnancy is not treated properly and in a timely manner, it may lead to a lack of blood supply to the organs in the body and to the fetus, and in severe cases, it can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac arrest, posing a risk to the lives of both the mother and the fetus. Therefore, when diagnosing a patient with fast sinus rhythm during pregnancy, the following methods should be applied:
- Medication for arrhythmias as prescribed by a doctor
- Avoid excessive worry and stress to limit the occurrence of fast sinus rhythm
- Coughing strongly to create pressure in the chest cavity from the alveoli, causing the heart rate to slow down.
- Maintain a balanced and healthy diet by adding foods rich in vitamins such as bananas, apples, etc., and limit the consumption of foods and beverages containing stimulants such as coffee, strong tea, alcoholic drinks, and tobacco.
- Use cold water on the face and neck, or take a cold shower to reduce heart rate.
- Perform the Valsalva maneuver, which means the patient needs to close their mouth tightly, pinch their nose and ears, take a deep breath, and forcefully exhale to stimulate the vagus nerve to regulate the heart rate back to its original state.
- The patient can also practice deep breathing, exhaling slowly to reduce heart rate, while also alleviating anxiety and palpitations. This method should be maintained daily so the patient can adjust their breathing, thereby stabilizing their heart rate.
- While strenuous exercise should be avoided, the patient should still have a moderate and regular exercise routine. Performing regular and appropriately intense health exercises will strengthen the heart muscle, improve overall health, and even help prevent some other health issues.
- Absolutely do not use any medications or foods without specific instructions from the treating physician as they may affect the growth and development of the fetus, especially during the last three months of pregnancy.
- Always maintain a cheerful and optimistic spirit, and have a reasonable work, study, and rest regime. It is necessary to get enough sleep so that the body always has energy, avoiding overworking the heart, which can lead to a rapid sinus rhythm.
Not only the elderly or young children experience rapid sinus rhythm; pregnant women can also encounter this condition, known as rapid sinus rhythm during pregnancy. It can be physiological or pathological, but patients should not be complacent and need to carefully observe the warning symptoms to seek medical attention when necessary, avoiding dangerous complications later on.
