Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) affect 5−10% of pregnancies worldwide, and are an independent risk factor for CVD. A greater understanding of the rates of modifiable CVD risk factors in women with a history of HDP can inform CVD prevention priorities in this group. The aim of this study was to understand the rates of individual and multiple modifiable risk factors for CVD (body mass index, fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, sitting time, smoking, alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms) among women with a history of HDP, and assess whether they differ to women without a history of HDP. This study is a cross-sectional analysis of self-reported data collected for the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health (ALSWH). The sample included 5820 women aged 32−37 years old, who completed survey 7 of the ALSWH in 2015. Women with a history of HDP had a higher multiple CVD modifiable risk factor score compared to those without HDP (mean (SD): 2.3 (1.4) vs. 2.0 (1.3); p < 0.01). HDP history was significantly associated with a higher body mass index (p < 0.01), high-risk alcohol consumption (p = 0.04) and more depressive symptoms (p < 0.01). Understanding that women with a history of HDP have higher CVD risk factors, specifically body mass index, alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms, allows clinicians to provide appropriate and tailored CVD interventions for this group of women.
Keywords: CVD prevention; cardiovascular disease; hypertension; hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; multiple CVD modifiable risk factors; postpartum management; women’s health.