Heart palpitations and shortness of breath during pregnancy

Pregnancy can make breathing effort and heartbeat awareness more noticeable, especially with activity or as the abdomen grows. Palpitations may feel like racing, pounding, fluttering or skipped beats. Breathlessness may also occur with a chest infection or airway condition such as Asthma. Anaemia and an irregular rhythm such as Atrial Fibrillation are other possibilities.

Shortness of breath can be a serious symptom when it begins suddenly, is severe, or appears with chest discomfort or faintness. Symptoms cannot identify the cause safely without an assessment.

Stop, sit upright and loosen tight clothing. Notice whether breathing improves with rest and record the timing, activity, heartbeat pattern, cough, wheeze, fever, chest discomfort or dizziness. Contact your maternity team or clinician about recurring symptoms. Use only inhalers and medicines prescribed for you, following their instructions.

Do not wait for a routine appointment if symptoms are worsening or interfere with speaking, walking or resting. A clinician may check oxygen levels, pulse, blood count, lungs and heart rhythm.

Call emergency services for sudden or severe breathlessness, chest pain or pressure, fainting, confusion, blue or grey lips, facial or throat swelling, wheezing after an exposure, coughing blood, or palpitations with severe weakness. Seek urgent assessment if a fast or irregular heartbeat does not settle or breathing keeps worsening.

Could anaemia, asthma, infection or a rhythm problem explain these symptoms? What should I do if they return at home? Should I have a blood count, oxygen check, heart tracing or review of my prescribed medicines?