Pregnancy complications and cardiovascular disease risk perception: A qualitative study

Prabha H Andraweera; Zohra S Lassi; Maleesa M Pathirana; Michelle D Plummer; Gus A Dekker; Claire T Roberts; Margaret A Arstall

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0271722

Pregnancy complications and cardiovascular disease risk perception: A qualitative study

PLoS One. 2022 Jul 21;17(7):e0271722. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271722. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Prabha H Andraweera^{1

2

3}, Zohra S Lassi^{1

2}, Maleesa M Pathirana^{1

2}, Michelle D Plummer^{1

2}, Gus A Dekker^{1

2

4}, Claire T Roberts^{1

2

5}, Margaret A Arstall^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
² Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
³ Department of Cardiology, Lyell McEwin Hospital, Elizabeth Vale, Australia.
⁴ Division of Women's Health, Lyell McEwin Hospital, Elizabeth Vale, Australia.
⁵ Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia.

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to assess women's perceptions on the long-term risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD) after major pregnancy complications.

Methods: Women who experienced major pregnancy complications and those who experienced uncomplicated pregnancies were invited to participate in a qualitative study. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and self-administered questionnaires were used to explore: The knowledge of long-term sequelae after experiencing a major pregnancy complication; Importance of education on heart health; The practicality of referral to a clinic after pregnancy complications; Willingness for regular postpartum clinic visits after pregnancy complications. A thematic qualitative analysis was undertaken.

Results: 26 women participated in four FGDs. The majority of women did not know of the association between major pregnancy complications and CVD. The main views expressed were: Women who experience pregnancy complications should receive education on improving heart health; An appointment for the first CVD risk screening visit needs to be made prior to discharge from the delivery suite; Women will benefit by having the option to select between a hospital and a general-practitioner based model of follow up.

Conclusions: These views are important in developing postpartum strategies to reduce CVD risk among women who experience pregnancy complications.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cardiovascular Diseases* / etiology
Cardiovascular Diseases* / prevention & control
Female
Humans
Perception
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications*
Qualitative Research

Grants and funding

NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Fellowship awarded to PHA (GNT1090778)., NHMRC Public Health Early Career Fellowship awarded to ZSL (GNT1141382), Robinson Research Institute Innovative Seed Funding project grant awarded to PHA, MAA, ZSL and CTR. Australian Health Research Alliance, Women’s Health Research Translation Network EMCR Award (PHA). CTR is supported by a NHMRC Investigator Grant (GNT1174971) and a Matthew Flinders Fellowship from Flinders University. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.