Ischaemic heart disease and pregnancy: the tale of two stories

Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is presumed to be rare in pregnancy. Based on that assumption, patients go undiagnosed or undertreated. IHD in pregnancy frequently occurs as a result of an unusual aetiology, therefore each patient needs to be managed individually since each may present differently. This may pose challenges to the consulting clinician. Pregnancy itself is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, due to its associated hypercoagulable state. From current reports, the prevalence of IHD in females is increasing due to lifestyle changes, including cigarette smoking, diabetes and stress. In our modern societies, women delay childbearing until they are older, allowing time for risk factors to cluster. Although presumed to be rare in pregnant women, IHD is currently estimated to occur three to four times more often during pregnancy in middle- and high-income women, warranting an extensive review highlighting cases of IHD in pregnancy.