Terrified- please help- anyone been diagnosed with pericardial effusion (fluid around heart) in third trimester??

[Tra06]

I’ve had palpitations, and dizzy spells for 2 weeks since around 29 weeks pregnant.

My heart rate has been around 100-110 at rest. Went in after a bad episode and they said that it could be a clot. After multiple discussions they then said I looked too well, my oxygen levels were high even when walking, and that they could discharge me with a 24 hour heart monitor and an echo.

Fast forward to today. My echo shows 3.5mm of fluid around my heart. I’m panicking because I’m only 31 weeks tommorow and scared of what the future holds.

Please- anyone out there had a similar experience???

I should add in mildly anaemic and had an iron transfusion as my Hb was 108 and ferritin 19- but now I’m wondering if all my symptoms were due to the fluid and panicking

Not had this but bumping for you. I'm glad you're being looked after. I'm sure someone with some experience of this will come along soon.

Thankyou :( I’ve never been this scared in my life and praying someone can reassure me that I’ll be okay

I really feel for you, pregnancy is hard enough as it is without extra things to worry about. It sounds scary because it's your heart but it might turn out to not be as bad as you think. When do you get to speak to the doctor about what it could be caused by and what the plan is?

Following as I'm going through something similar! Resting heart rate of 130 currently, also anaemic. Still waiting on an updated ecg. I'm 33 weeks pregnant currently!

Best of luck to you, let us know how it goes! X

@RainyDayWellySocks

I really feel for you, pregnancy is hard enough as it is without extra things to worry about. It sounds scary because it's your heart but it might turn out to not be as bad as you think. When do you get to speak to the doctor about what it could be caused by and what the plan is?

Not this Friday, the Friday after :( it doesn’t really seem like the doctors are concerned, I just spoke to the night junior and they said their seniors said it could be something normal but it’s difficult to feel reassured when you’re mind wanders. I’m so so afraid.

@dg93

Following as I'm going through something similar! Resting heart rate of 130 currently, also anaemic. Still waiting on an updated ecg. I'm 33 weeks pregnant currently!

Best of luck to you, let us know how it goes! X

Ah really hope they’re treating your anaemia!! Are you getting similar symptoms as I am?

Have you been told you have a pericardial effusion? Or just that you have some fluid around your heart?

My grandma had this - a very small pericardial effusion, which was actually normal for her and cleared by itself. It was nothing at all to worry about and not an actual pericardial effusion (which would indicate a serious underlying problem).

If your doctors aren't concerned, I'd assume it's the same as what my grandma had. But you should ask for them to explain everything to you and tell them you're worrying about it.

Hugs - sorry you're going through this stress! Hope you feel better soon

@Skittles98

Have you been told you have a pericardial effusion? Or just that you have some fluid around your heart?

My grandma had this - a very small pericardial effusion, which was actually normal for her and cleared by itself. It was nothing at all to worry about and not an actual pericardial effusion (which would indicate a serious underlying problem).

If your doctors aren't concerned, I'd assume it's the same as what my grandma had. But you should ask for them to explain everything to you and tell them you're worrying about it.

Hugs - sorry you're going through this stress! Hope you feel better soon

Hello- yes the doctor state pericardial effusion but that it was small, 3.5mm and around my right atrium, and that as long as I had no pain and was okay at home to wait till next Friday to see a consultant to discuss monitoring. Did your grandmother also have it during pregnancy? Did she have symptoms with it?

Thankyou so much. I can’t explain how scared I am but hoping your grandmother’s story is similar to mine!

I understand it's scary and saying don't worry is easier said than done!

It's probably unrelated to your pregnancy. My grandmother had a lot of fatigue and it was found during a routine exam - she had more than one area with fluid. I think to this day she still has some and they clear up by themselves then reappear. It's just how she is and small effusions aren't meant to cause any symptoms.

The symptoms you've described sound a bit different www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/pericardial-effusion

It sounds from webmed that small ones shouldn't cause symptoms and in many cases have no cause - this was the case with my grandma!

So probably yours is just random and nothing to do with your pregnancy and other symptoms.

Are you feeling very stressed? I have quite bad health anxiety and when I convince myself there is something wrong I end up having constant palpitations and a high heart rate. Not to say that's your problem, but if you're worried and stressed it could make it worse.

It's not long till Friday now when hopefully the doctors will give you some reassurance. Hope you can distract yourself until then!

Have you had the Pfizer or Moderna covid vaccine? Myocarditis seems to be a side effect they are studying.

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/myocarditis.html

Yes I got the pfizer booster on the 20th of November but only started feeling faint and palpitation episodes in the past 2 weeks! I had an exg which just showed a fast heart rate, was under the impression pericarditis would show on them :(

How are you @Tra06? How did your appointment go today?

I had over 1cm of fluid around my heart in my pregnancy. I had a c section and had a cardiac episode which released troponin levels. And my heart rate went from resting at 117 before the section to only 39 in recovery. I’m 4 weeks post partem now and have had so many scans and tests done. Including a CT scan which was scary. I’m still undergoing tests now as to what’s caused it. Never been so scared, only 25 and healthy, scary what can happen.