Can premature heartbeats undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Mar 09, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Tian Hongbo

Introduction

In general, cardiac premature beats refer to premature contractions. Whether premature contractions are compatible with in vitro fertilization (IVF) mainly depends on the frequency of the contractions, as well as the cardiac structure and functional status. If the premature contractions are occasional and the cardiac structure and function are normal, IVF may generally be considered. However, frequent premature contractions accompanied by abnormal cardiac structure make IVF unsuitable.

Generally speaking, cardiac premature beats refer to premature contractions. Whether premature contractions affect in vitro fertilization (IVF) mainly depends on the frequency of the contractions and the structure and function of the heart. If the premature contractions are occasional and the cardiac structure and function are normal, IVF generally can be considered. However, if frequent premature contractions are accompanied by structural abnormalities of the heart, IVF would not be advisable. The detailed analysis is as follows:

If a patient has only occasional premature contractions—for example, 24-hour Holter monitoring shows a small number of premature contractions, generally less than 500, and the cardiac structure and function are normal without other severe cardiovascular or systemic diseases—IVF typically can be performed. In such cases, the premature contractions usually do not cause significant adverse effects on cardiac function. With appropriate monitoring and management during IVF and pregnancy, the pregnancy process generally can be well tolerated, and the risks to both mother and baby are relatively low.

When a patient has frequent premature contractions—as shown by more than 1000 premature contractions on 24-hour Holter monitoring—or has structural cardiac abnormalities such as atrial or ventricular enlargement, abnormal ventricular wall thickness, or has severe underlying heart disease, IVF generally is not recommended. In such cases, pregnancy can dramatically increase the burden on the heart, potentially leading to rapid deterioration of cardiac function and causing serious complications such as heart failure and severe arrhythmias. These complications not only threaten the life of the pregnant woman but also may lead to fetal growth problems, miscarriage, and other adverse outcomes.

In daily life, maintaining a regular schedule and ensuring 7–8 hours of high-quality sleep every night is important; staying up late should be avoided. At the same time, moderate exercise based on one's physical condition, such as walking or practicing tai chi, can enhance cardiopulmonary function. However, strenuous exercise and excessive fatigue should be avoided.

View All

Are heart palpitations a sign of myocarditis?

Premature contractions are not the same as myocarditis. Premature contractions refer to irregular heartbeats that may represent normal physiological phenomena but could also be associated with organic heart disease. Myocarditis, on the other hand, is usually related to viral infections. These two conditions are distinct; however, severe myocarditis may trigger premature contractions, leading to irregular heartbeats.

View Full Answer

Can a cold cause premature heartbeats?

Whether a cold causes premature contractions mainly depends on the type and severity of the cold. Non-viral colds or mild colds usually do not cause premature contractions, whereas viral or severe colds may induce viral myocarditis, thereby leading to premature contractions and associated symptoms. Therefore, it is important to promptly identify the cause of the cold and provide targeted treatment accordingly.

View Full Answer

Can ventricular premature beats in trigeminy rhythm return to normal?

Whether premature contractions can be restored mainly depends on the underlying cause. If caused by physiological factors, they may return to a normal state after improving lifestyle habits and generally do not require special treatment. However, premature contractions caused by pathological factors such as cardiomyopathy or coronary heart disease, especially in severe cases, are usually difficult to reverse and require treatment of the underlying disease or catheter radiofrequency ablation.

View Full Answer

Which acupoint should be scraped for cardiac premature beats?

In general, cardiac premature beats refer to premature contractions. For premature contractions, acupoints such as Neiguan (PC6), Shenmen (HT7), Shanzhong (CV17), Xinshu (BL15), and Jueyinshu (PC8) can be stimulated. Normally, one should avoid intense emotional fluctuations and reduce stimulation from negative emotions such as tension, anxiety, and anger. Relaxation methods such as listening to music or meditation may help alleviate these emotions and prevent emotional factors from triggering premature contractions.