A number of pregnant women suffering from heart conditions in Ghazni say that this disease has led to extreme fatigue, severe pain, and shortness of breath, raising concerns about the risk of miscarriage.
Somaya, a pregnant woman diagnosed with heart disease, explains, “It’s my seventh month, my legs are swollen, I struggle to breathe, and I am in difficulty. Last year, my pregnant sister suffered from heart problems, and she miscarried. I visited the doctor a month ago, got medication, and now I feel a bit better. I came for another check-up.”
Another pregnant woman, Sadeqa, also diagnosed with heart disease, says, “I had high blood pressure before, and I’ve gained weight. Now, I experience severe shortness of breath, get tired quickly, and sometimes have chest pain. I went to the doctor, who said I had heart problems. I didn’t have this condition before, and I am worried. I have received medication.”
Nazanin, whose family member suffers from heart disease, adds, “My sister-in-law is older and has heart disease. She struggles with shortness of breath, and now, after her marriage, her daughter also has heart issues. When she walks, she gets out of breath.”
Doctors in Ghazni state that the prevalence of heart disease among pregnant women is high, with 11 types of heart conditions potentially threatening women during pregnancy.
Atef Noori, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Ghazni, says, “There are unfortunately many heart diseases that can affect a woman during pregnancy. There are 11 types, including arrhythmias, high blood pressure, mitral valve stenosis, coronary artery disease that affects blood circulation, and congenital heart conditions that can develop during pregnancy. Heart attacks are also among these conditions.”
Dr. Noori further explains that the cause of heart disease among pregnant women is the increased blood supply from the mother to the fetus.
“Pregnant women are responsible for nourishing the fetus and providing its blood supply. This has a significant impact on the mother’s body because blood pumping increases, which causes the heart to enlarge. During pregnancy, blood volume increases by 30%, blood pressure rises, and the mother’s heart rate increases by 10-15%.”
It is worth noting that due to a lack of medical facilities and economic challenges, many pregnant women in Afghanistan do not seek medical care during pregnancy and often miss out on vital health consultations.
