Cardiovascular Journal of Africa: Vol 32 No 6 (NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021)

CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF AFRICA • Volume 32, No 6, November/December 2021 AFRICA 307 live births out of 74 pregnancies, and a high rate of prematurity and low birth weight. Late presentation in pregnancy was common, and many women presented in mWHO class IV, meaning that their pregnancy was contraindicated. Education of women with high-risk disease, improved pre-conceptual counselling, frequent antenatal care and early recognition of signs and symptoms of cardiac disease should be a priority to improve outcomes of cardiac disease in pregnancy for mothers and babies. Mothers with RHD, in particular, experienced more complications and should be closely followed. Tachycardia and peripheral oedema as early symptoms of heart failure should be noted. Further studies to explore the significance of these symptoms are warranted. 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