Definition of Gravidocardiac from the PharmacyDictionary.in
Gravidocardiac
Synonyms or meaning of 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.
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