ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular disease complicates about 1-4% of pregnancies and is the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States. Chest pain is not only the most common symptom of heart disease but also the most frequent cause of emergency department (ED) visits. The evaluation of chest pain is challenging as the etiology may range from benign heart burn, which is a common complaint in pregnancy, to a life-threatening condition such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or aortic dissection. This chapter provides a systematic approach to addressing this relatively common complaint in pregnancy. The risk of MI increases by threefold during pregnancy and postpartum period with an incidence of 1:16,000 of all deliveries. Risk factors in pregnancy-related MI include age of >30 years, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, preeclampsia, diabetes, and obesity. Rapid diagnosis and early intervention is the key to successful treatment and prevention of significant maternal morbidity and even mortality.
