Mumbai News:  A 26-year-old pregnant woman with serious heart problems has been successfully treated by doctors in Mumbai Central. Due to elevated blood pressure and vaginal bleeding, the patient, who was in her seventh month of pregnancy—was first brought to a Kurla hospital. Her health deteriorated despite medicine, and her baby was born prematurely at 28 weeks, weighing a mere 598 grams.

She had high blood pressure, hypoxia, and significant dyspnea post delivery in addition to a fast breathing rate. The initial hospital suggested that she be sent to Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai Central for further treatment, where she was successfully cured.

As soon as they arrived, the medical team—which included OB-GYN Dr Gandhali Deorukhkar, ICU intensivist Dr Kedar Toraskar, and cardiologist Dr Parin Sangoi—quickly stabilised her breathing, circulation, and airway before transferring her to the intensive care unit (ICU).

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After undergoing extensive testing and imaging, it was discovered that she had Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a rare kind of heart failure that can strike in the final month of pregnancy or up to five months after giving birth. This disorder weakens the cardiac muscle, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively. The patient had no previous history of cardiac illness, making the diagnosis even more difficult.

What Is Peripartum Cardiomyopathy?

Peripartum cardiomyopathy, commonly known as heart muscle weakening, develops in the last month of pregnancy and lasts for about five months after birth, with no other known cause. According to specialists, the disease usually happens shortly after delivery.

Experts believe the illness, which may develop at any age, causes heart failure and is potentially fatal.