Women who had hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are twice as likely to experience maternal cardiovascular disease later in life. The primary aim of this study (BP2) is to compare outcomes of 3 different management strategies, including lifestyle behavior change (LBC), in the first 12 months postpartum in women who had HDP in their preceding pregnancy. Secondary aims include assessing the effects on other cardiometabolic parameters.
The target sample size taken was 480. Participants are randomized to one of three groups. All women have an outcome assessment at 1 year.
(a) BP change or (b) weight change and/or waist circumference change. Secondary outcomes: maternal health-related quality of life, engagement, and retention in LBC program, biochemical markers, vascular function testing, infant weight trajectory, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. The study is powered to detect a 4 mmHg difference in systolic BP between groups, or a 4 kg weight loss difference/2cm waist circumference change.
The study concluded that the BP2 will provide evidence regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of postpartum LBC interventions and structured clinical follow-up in improving cardiovascular health markers after HDP.
Reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2210778920300908
