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Chapter 7 - Hormones and Cardiovascular Systems in Pregnancy

from Section I - Hormones in the Physiology and Pharmacology of Pregnancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2022

By
Daniele Farsetti  and
Herbert Valensise
Edited by
Felice Petraglia ,
Mariarosaria Di Tommaso  and
Federico Mecacci
Felice Petraglia
Affiliation:
Università degli Studi, Florence
Mariarosaria Di Tommaso
Affiliation:
Università degli Studi, Florence
Federico Mecacci
Affiliation:
Università degli Studi, Florence
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Summary

Maternal cardiovascular modifications occur during pregnancy in order to create optimal conditions for the growth and the development of the fetus. As a matter of fact, it can be observed in deep structural and functional changes involving the entire cardiovascular and volume regulatory systems. The systemic vasodilation during the earliest stages of pregnancy will lead to the subsequent cardiovascular modifications: increase of plasma volume, stroke volume, and heart rate with a consequent augmentation of cardiac output. The failure of cardiovascular adaptation to pregnancy demands causes hypertensive disorders and fetal growth restriction.

Maternal hormones – first of all estrogens, progesterone, prolactin, relaxin and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system – play a key role in the induction and the maintenance of the unique maternal hemodynamic profile during pregnancy. A lack or a reduction in the action of these hormones has significant consequences on the course of pregnancy.

Type
Chapter
Information
Hormones and Pregnancy
Basic Science and Clinical Implications
 , pp. 61 - 72
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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References

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