Physiologia, Vol. 5, Pages 30: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Adaptations During Pregnancy and Exercise in Pregnancy

Physiologia doi: 10.3390/physiologia5030030

Authors:
Manuela Filipec
Marinela Jadanec Đurin

During pregnancy, physiological adaptations occur in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems to support the increased metabolic needs of both mother and fetus. Key respiratory changes include mechanical adjustments of the chest wall and diaphragm to accommodate the growing uterus; decreases in functional residual capacity and its components—expiratory reserve volume and residual volume—with minimal or no change in total lung capacity; and an increase in minute ventilation. Major cardiovascular adaptations involve elevated cardiac output, stroke volume and heart rate, and decreased mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance. During exercise in pregnancy, there is an increase in ventilation, alveolar diffusion, elevated oxygen consumption, greater carbon dioxide production and changes in respiratory volumes and capacities, as well as increases in cardiac output, stroke volume and heart rate. Understanding these normal physiological changes during pregnancy and exercise in pregnancy is essential for healthcare providers to develop and adapt exercise programs according to the gestational age and physical fitness level of the pregnant woman.

Source link

Manuela Filipec www.mdpi.com