Leah Riegert: Post-Partum Heart Failure and a Stroke
Leah Riegert shares her road to recovery after experiencing post-partum heart failure and a stroke less than a week after giving birth to her daughter.
During pregnancy, my feet and legs were extremely swollen, and I was very short of breath. I was told: “Welcome to pregnancy!” I lived a very healthy lifestyle (exercise, eating healthy, stress management, etc.), so I wasn’t concerned.
After giving birth, the shortness of breath continued to worsen. A doctor directed me to the emergency room six days after I gave birth to my daughter where I was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy or post-partum heart failure. My doctors put me on medication, with the hope I would respond to it. They also told me I would not be able to have another baby. I was devastated and worried. Would my heart recover? Would I make it to my daughter's first birthday? What do you mean I can't have more children?
One day after my discharge from the ICU, my husband noticed the right side of my face was drooping and I was unable to talk. I was having a massive stroke. He immediately called 911. The word frightened doesn't do justice to what I felt. I tried to tell my husband and parents I loved them and all that came out was gibberish. I was given TPA (the clot busting drug), air-cared to a different hospital and had a thrombectomy performed. Doctors believe the clot came from my heart.
It was difficult to walk and use my right hand. My heart rate would shoot up when I was just walking. I had difficulty saying what I was thinking, which is problematic because I am a clinical psychologist. I remember thinking after my diagnoses, “I don’t know how I am ever going to feel normal again.” For the first few weeks, and probably months I felt defeated. My family kept reminding me that I could do a little more every day until I could remind myself. My confidence continued to grow through physical therapy, walking/yoga, taking medications, and with the help of my great support system. I found it therapeutic talking about my experience.
Slowly, but surely, I regained all the deficits I had lost- except for my handwriting. My heart rate came down. My cardiologist even gave me the go ahead to start exercising again. I am so grateful to be alive and be able to raise my daughter. Recently, my heart has been evaluated to be functioning normally!
I had no risk factors for heart disease or stroke. Listening to my body and the quick action of my husband saved my life.
For more information about how pregnancy can affect cardiovascular disease, please visit our Pregnancy and Maternal Health website and our Mom Life website to get tips and tools for moms of all ages.