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xp:Hydralazine for heart?

snoangel79snoangel79 member
in Pregnant after IF

Hi everyone,

Just a quick question if anyone has been put on this for their heart. I had an Echo and my heart is working at 45% Ejection Fraction (doctor said normal was 50), at 13 weeks it was 55. I have another echo in about 5 weeks then the possibility of delivery if it is getting worse and obviously if I have symptoms of being swollen before this would indicate that I need to get in there to be checked out. I had chemo when I was 23 that obviously did a little damage and apparently my heart is working very hard for these two. Any experiences with this drug? It's supposed to make it easier on my heart if I take this. My blood pressure is normal and I have no physical signs of a heart issue.

Thank you! 

Oct1201212 Twins born at 34w2d, Allison, 3lb,4oz-Ethan, 4lb7oz, both 16 1/2 inches. Out of Difficulties Grow Miracles BestBuddiesBoy AprilPosseMultiLilypie Premature Baby tickers
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Re: xp:Hydralazine for heart?

  • Mayan2011Mayan2011 member
    I don't have any experiences with this drug, sorry.  I just wanted to say that I hope everything turns out OK and you can keep your babies inside you for awhile longer!
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  • krismott25krismott25 member
    i don't have experience with this for OB pts but I give this med often at work. Just some backround... hydralazine or apresoline is a smooth muscle vasodiolater. It improves cardiac output (amount of blood pumped) by reducing systemic vascular resistence (the resistance of flow your heart has to pump against.. these are where you get your blood pressure numbers) I doubt this is realted to your chemo at 23, this is most likely the result of the extra effort your body is having to work to cary twins and yourself.While on hydralizine you can get orthostatic hypotension which is sudden drop in bp when standing to quickly. so take it easy when standing, no jumping up quickly or you'll pass out. With a heart function at less than normal capacity you'll want to look out for signs of heart failure. These are peripheral (legs/arms) swelling. if you push your fingers into your ankles and the skin doesn't jump back, thats called edema.  The big one to watch out for is shortness of breath. The kind where even after you sit down you can't catch your breath. with HF, fluid backs up into your lungs bc your heart can't pump it into circulation. also at night if you find it hard to lay flat without being short of breath thats a sign. basically with that, when you lay flat all the fluid in your peripheral rushes back to the heart. daily weight are also a good indication of fluid retention, you will gain weight being pg but if you gain more than 3-5 lbs in a day or two definetly call your doctor. I hope i'm not scarring you. Just want you to be prepared.alot of these symptoms can be pg related but in a more exaggerated way. If you have any questions call your doctor!! don't hesitate, that's what they are there for. if you have any other questions feel free to PM me! Good luck I'm sure you will do just fine. I know it will be hard, but try not to worry, let the hubby do the hard work, and just put your feet up.
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  • snoangel79snoangel79 member

    imagekrismott25:
    i don't have experience with this for OB pts but I give this med often at work. Just some backround... hydralazine or apresoline is a smooth muscle vasodiolater. It improves cardiac output (amount of blood pumped) by reducing systemic vascular resistence (the resistance of flow your heart has to pump against.. these are where you get your blood pressure numbers) I doubt this is realted to your chemo at 23, this is most likely the result of the extra effort your body is having to work to cary twins and yourself.While on hydralizine you can get orthostatic hypotension which is sudden drop in bp when standing to quickly. so take it easy when standing, no jumping up quickly or you'll pass out. With a heart function at less than normal capacity you'll want to look out for signs of heart failure. These are peripheral (legs/arms) swelling. if you push your fingers into your ankles and the skin doesn't jump back, thats called edema.  The big one to watch out for is shortness of breath. The kind where even after you sit down you can't catch your breath. with HF, fluid backs up into your lungs bc your heart can't pump it into circulation. also at night if you find it hard to lay flat without being short of breath thats a sign. basically with that, when you lay flat all the fluid in your peripheral rushes back to the heart. daily weight are also a good indication of fluid retention, you will gain weight being pg but if you gain more than 3-5 lbs in a day or two definetly call your doctor. I hope i'm not scarring you. Just want you to be prepared.alot of these symptoms can be pg related but in a more exaggerated way. If you have any questions call your doctor!! don't hesitate, that's what they are there for. if you have any other questions feel free to PM me! Good luck I'm sure you will do just fine. I know it will be hard, but try not to worry, let the hubby do the hard work, and just put your feet up.

    Thank you! She didn't mention heart failure at this point but watching me closely for the possibility (which is scary!). I asked her if I was  going to drop dead and she said no so that's a positive! haha I think the chemo thing was Adriamycin. Which didn't per say damage my heart but that coupled with the twin pregnancy doesn't help is what she said. Hoping to get these two to at least 28 weeks +. My sister was a 28 weeker and in my heart I know they will be ok if we can at least get them there hopefully further!! 

    Oct1201212 Twins born at 34w2d, Allison, 3lb,4oz-Ethan, 4lb7oz, both 16 1/2 inches. Out of Difficulties Grow Miracles BestBuddiesBoy AprilPosseMultiLilypie Premature Baby tickers
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  • Imanurse03Imanurse03 member
    I don't have any personal experience with this but wanted to wish you well. That must be scary; glad they are watching you and LOs so closely. I know they safely give Hydralazine in pg to patients with pre-eclampsia and BP issues. I know that's not your situation but wanted to tell you it' s safe. It is thought to increase cardiac output, which is what they want in your case with an EF of 45%. Praying that things stay stable for you and that you can keep LOs cooking 'til at least 28 weeks and beyond!
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  • DrRxDrRx member
    I know that hydralazine has been used historically in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia.  Hopefully this will help with your EF and let your twins keep cooking as long as possible.  GL and be sure to keep us posted!
    TTC Since July 2008.
    Me: PCOS DH: Low everything (MFI)
    Clomid with TI x 3 2010 BFN
    Clomid+IUI+Ovidrel 2010 BFN
    IVF w/ICSI #1 2011
    9/8/11 Beta #1: 2082!! 9/19/11 Beta#2 34,689!! U/S 9/22/11 HR 127! 11/8/11 HR 150! 12/6/11 HR 136! 12/14/11 HR 139! Born at 26w2d on 2/4/2012! After 83 days in the NICU, Adalyn came home on 4/26/12!
    FET 1 3/2013 BFN
    FET 2 5/2013 BFN
    Lilypie Premature Baby tickers
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