Pregnancy Is The Ultimate Stress Test For Your Heart

(Undated) -- You've probably heard of pregnancy brain, but pregnancy can be hard on your heart as well. Cardiologist Richard Krasuski calls pregnancy the ultimate stress test. During the first trimester, the amount of blood increases by up to 50-percent, and the heart rate will increase by ten-to-15 beats per minute. With all of the extra work on the heart, Doctor Krasuski says it's a good idea for pregnant women to have their hearts checked.