Determining Predispositions and Impact of Pregnancy on Future Cardiovascular Risk of Australian Women: Mother’s Heart Study Protocol
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Pregnancy provides a critical window for evaluating cardiovascular health, given the substantial physiological adaptations that may reveal or contribute to long-term coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) comprises a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors, including central obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and dyslipidaemia, which collectively increase the risk of future CAD. The Mother’s Heart Study aimed to examine the associations between early pregnancy cardiometabolic risk profiles, maternal hemodynamic adaptations across gestation, and the subsequent development of postpartum MetS. Methods: This is a prospective observational cohort study of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at the Lyell McEwin Hospital in South Australia. Eligible women are recruited before 16 weeks of gestation following written informed consent. Data are collected at 4 time points: <16 weeks (visit 1), 24–28 weeks (visit 2), ≥34 weeks (visit 3), and 6 months postpartum (visit 4). Demographics, medical and family history, and lifestyle behaviours (smoking, alcohol use, diet, and physical activity) are recorded. Hemodynamic parameters are assessed at each visit using the USCOM BP+ device. Blood samples are obtained at visits 1 and 4 to measure lipids, glucose, insulin, and C-reactive protein. Pregnancy outcome data are extracted from medical records. Conclusion: The Mother’s Heart Study will provide important information on maternal cardiovascular health from early pregnancy to the postpartum period. The findings may support earlier screening and better prevention of future cardiovascular disease in women.
Source: Maternal and Children s Health
DOI: 10.1159/000553587
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7168579644