Postpartum Sinus Tachycardia

Pregnancy is a time of immense physiological and immunological change. Perhaps no organ system undergoes more adaptations then the cardiovascular. Increased cardiac output, increased intravascular volume, hyper coagulability, and decreased systemic vascular resistance, are four essential alterations [1]. Additionally, a rise in pulse rate of ten to twenty beats per minute is usually seen. Further, these alterations do not immediately resolve after delivery. For instance, only approximately one week after delivery does blood volume return to its pre-pregnancy level with cardiac output reaching nonpregnant levels around 10 days post partum [2]. Assisting these alterations is an extensive diuresis process progressively removing extracellular water predominantly between post partum days two and five [2]. These alterations are paramount for the Obstetrician and Cardiologist alike to understand when evaluating the immediately post partum patient.