Poster Presentation ESA-SRB-ANZBMS 2024 in conjunction with ENSA

Prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors among pregnant women (#470)

Aasiya Mohebi 1 2 , Maleesa Pathirana 1 2 3 , Melanie Wittwer 1 2 3 , Julia Dalton 4 , Gustaaf Dekker 1 2 4 , Margaret Arstall 2 3 , Prabha Andraweera 1 2 3
  1. Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  2. Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  3. Department of Cardiology, Lyell McEwin Hospital, Elizabeth Vale, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  4. Discipline of Women’s Health, Lyell McEwin Hospital, Elizabeth Vale, , Adelaide, SA, Australia

Background

 Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality among women. This study aims to identify the trajectory of cardio-metabolic risk factors among pregnant women.

Methods

We currently recruit pregnant women to the Mother’s Heart Study prior to 16 weeks’ gestation (visit one) at the Lyell McEwin Hospital. Demographic details, diet, exercise and medical history are obtained. Height and weight are measured. USCOM BP+ device is used to measure haemodynamic parameters. The above information is also collected at visit 2 (24-28 weeks’), visit 3 (>34 weeks) and visit 4 (6 months postpartum). Blood glucose and lipids are measured at visits 1 and 4. Pregnancy outcome data are obtained from hospital medical records. Metabolic syndrome (MetS, a cluster of CVD risk factors) is diagnosed using the Harmonizing definition.

Results

Up to now, 130 women have completed all assessments at visit one. The women were aged between 19-44 years and 11.5% were nulliparous. Of the participants, 34.6% were obese, 2.3% had high systolic blood pressure, 1.5% had high diastolic blood pressure, 47.7% had high total cholesterol, 15.4% had high triglycerides, 28.5% had high LDL cholesterol, 7.7% had low HDL cholesterol and 1.5% had high blood glucose. Prevalence of MetS was 15.4%. Women with MetS had significantly higher central systolic (107mmHg vs 96 mmHg, p<0.001), and central diastolic blood pressures (73mmHg vs 63mmHg, p<0.001) compared to those without MetS. Augmentation index (marker of vascular stiffness) was higher among women with MetS (54 vs 49, p=0.3) compared to those without MetS, but was not statistically significant. Women with MetS reported less time spent on exercise compared to those without MetS (102 minutes vs 125 minutes per week, p=0.4).

Conclusion: Screening for cardio-metabolic risk factors during pregnancy may help identify young women at risk of future CVD.