Cardiology
Every heartbeat tells a story, and cardiologists listen carefully to diagnose, treat, and protect the rhythm of life.
Rekha, 26, was in her second trimester with her first baby. She complained of fatigue, palpitations, and shortness of breath. Her hemoglobin was 8.2 g/dL—diagnosed as iron-deficiency anemia and given supplements.
But she didn’t improve. On auscultation, I heard a loud systolic murmur. An echocardiogram revealed severe mitral stenosis. It wasn’t anemia—it was unrecognized rheumatic heart disease.
She delivered safely with a multidisciplinary team in place. If we had missed it, it could’ve ended in heart failure.
She delivered safely with a multidisciplinary team in place. If we had missed it, it could’ve ended in heart failure.
The Lesson Learned
In pregnancy, not all fatigue is anemia. Heart disease can hide behind presumed obstetric complaints—always listen, literally and figuratively.
Should add more information to this article.
Stella