Gravidocardiac

Definition of Gravidocardiac from the PharmacyDictionary.in

Gravidocardiac

This term pertains to heart disease in pregnancy.

“Gravidocardiac” is a medical term specifically related to pregnancy. It describes conditions or changes in the heart that arise due to the physiological adaptations a woman’s body undergoes during pregnancy.

Here’s a breakdown:

  • Gravid: This part of the word comes from the Latin “gravidus,” meaning “pregnant” or “heavy with child.”
  • Cardiac: This refers to the heart, derived from the Greek “kardia.”

Therefore, gravidocardiac essentially means “cardiac (heart) conditions related to pregnancy.”

Physiological Changes During Pregnancy:

Pregnancy puts a significant strain on the cardiovascular system. Here are some key changes that occur:

  • Increased Blood Volume: Blood volume increases by up to 50% to meet the demands of the growing fetus.
  • Increased Heart Rate: The heart rate rises by 10-20 beats per minute to pump more blood.
  • Decreased Blood Pressure: Blood pressure may decrease slightly due to hormonal changes and increased blood volume.

Gravidocardiac Conditions:

These changes can sometimes lead to certain cardiac conditions in pregnant women. Some examples include:

  • Physiological tachycardia: This is a normal increase in heart rate related to pregnancy.
  • Postural hypotension: This is a drop in blood pressure when changing positions, especially from lying to standing, due to the growing uterus compressing blood vessels.
  • Pre-existing heart conditions: Pregnancy can worsen pre-existing heart conditions like arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat) or valvular heart disease.

Not Available