Cardiac diseases complicating pregnancy

Cardiac disease is the commonest cause of maternal mortality in the UK. A clear understanding of the physiological cardiovascular adaptations that occur in pregnancy is important to understand the impact this may have on women with pre-existing cardiac disease. The incidence of acquired cardiac disease in pregnancy is increasing and it is important to be vigilant of new onset cardiac disease in pregnancy. Social changes, with women waiting longer to start families and advances in reproductive technologies, mean that women may become pregnant at an age when some diseases are more prevalent. Newer therapies and improved understanding of cardiac disease in pregnancy have altered the prognosis in part but the management of cardiac disease remains a challenge in pregnancy. Appropriate referral and multidisciplinary planning with the appropriate specialists are mandatory.