Risk Factors for Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Researchers still do not know exactly why some women develop peripartum cardiomyopathy. However, there are some risk factors that have been implicated.

• Twin pregnancies (7 to 10% of published cases)

• History of pre-eclampsia (aka toxemia) and postpartum hypertension (high blood pressure)

• Maternal cocaine abuse

• Enterovirus infection

• Selenium deficiency

• Use of preterm labor drugs (terbutaline for more than 4 weeks, long-term use of ritodrine, combining preterm labor drugs)

• Toxic substances, including some drugs for chemotherapy

• Family history of peripartum cardiomyopathy

• Guillian-Barre neuropathy

• Myocarditis (Inflamation of the middle layer of the heart wall)

• Viral trigger