Lucknow, Feb. 15 -- If a pregnant woman has normal haemoglobin levels but experiences persistent shortness of breath, the symptom should not be ignored as it may indicate an underlying heart condition, particularly a valve disorder, said experts at the concluding session of CARDIOCON 2026. The conference was organised by the Cardiology Society of India at the convention centre of King George's Medical University (KGMU) on Saturday. Dr Monica Bhandari from the department of cardiology at KGMU said that after the fourth month of pregnancy, blood volume in the body increases, placing additional strain on the heart. If a woman already has a narrowing or leaking heart valve, symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and a rapid heart rate may become apparent. In such cases, immediate consultation with a gynaecologist or cardiologist is essential. Dr Rishi Sethi, head of the Lari Cardiology department, cautioned that smoking, consumption of fried and fast foods, prolonged stress, sedentary lifestyles and lack of exercise significantly increase the risk of heart disease. Regular health check-ups, a balanced diet and at least 30 minutes of daily exercise can help reduce the risk, he said. Dr Akshay Pradhan stressed the importance of annual health screening after the age of 20, including lipid profile, cholesterol, diabetes, thyroid, hormone and haemoglobin tests for early detection of heart disease. Dr Pravesh Vishwakarma noted that increasing work-related stress among women has contributed to rising heart-related issues. He said stress and anxiety can disturb hormonal balance. A walkathon was also organised in the morning from Ghanta Ghar to KGMU to raise awareness about heart health. Doctors, staff and members of the public participated. htc...