02/19/2026
Pregnancy is a powerful transformation, and your cardiovascular system works overtime to keep up! By the third trimester, your cardiac output (the amount of blood your heart pumps each minute) increases by 30–50% compared to pre-pregnancy levels. That’s a lot of extra work for your heart!
After about 32 weeks, your heart maintains that output by increasing heart rate, as stroke volume (how much blood is pumped per beat) starts to decline.
What does this mean for you?
You might notice:
-Shortness of breath
-Fatigue
-Decreased exercise tolerance
-Dizziness or lightheadedness
-Mild chest discomfort
✅ These are often normal, but they shouldn't be ignored.
If you have a history of high blood pressure, heart conditions, or other risk factors, your OB may recommend additional monitoring or referral to a maternal-fetal medicine or cardiology specialist.
💧 Stay hydrated
🛏️ Rest when you need to
📞 Speak up if something feels off
Your heart is doing incredible work! Let’s support it!