Self-measuring your blood pressure after giving birth may help reduce your risk of future heart disease and stroke, according to research we funded. The study results could be a first step toward regularly recommending self-monitoring of blood pressure for women with high blood pressure during pregnancy to prevent future health problems. There is.

The study was published today in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) and presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia.

Around the world, approximately 10% of pregnancies are affected by dangerously elevated blood pressure (hypertensive pregnancy). Approximately one-third of women who experience a pregnancy with high blood pressure begin treatment for high blood pressure within 10 years, significantly increasing their long-term risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.

Largest trial of its kind

In the largest study of its kind, researchers determined that by measuring blood pressure daily at home and personalizing medication doses in the weeks following delivery, they were able to help patients with hypertension in the first postpartum pregnancy. found that annual blood pressure control was improved. Although further research is needed to see whether these changes are maintained over time, researchers believe that self-monitoring blood pressure may reduce future strokes and heart attacks in women who develop high blood pressure during pregnancy. We hope that this will reduce the risk of

The study, led by Dr Jamie Kitt and Professor Paul Leeson from the University of Oxford, found that 220 new mothers who developed high blood pressure during pregnancy either self-monitored their blood pressure at home or received treatment with their usual care. Ta. Participants in the self-monitoring group measured their blood pressure daily and entered the readings into an app on their smartphones. They then received advice to reduce, maintain, or increase their blood pressure-lowering medication dose based on their readings.

Those in the usual care group had their blood pressure checked by a local midwife about 10 days after giving birth, and by their GP six to eight weeks later. All women in the study were followed for nine months after giving birth.

About eight months after giving birth, mean blood pressure in the self-monitoring group was lower than in the usual care group. Comparison of 126/82mmHg and 131/86mmHg respectively. Most of the self-monitoring group had stopped taking blood pressure medication by this stage.

Researchers say that lowering blood pressure by just 5 mmHg, as seen in this study, can delay the onset of high blood pressure by years. This can reduce your lifetime risk of heart attack by 20 percent and stroke by 40 percent.

Additionally, only eight people in the self-monitoring group were readmitted to the hospital due to high blood pressure within two weeks of discharge, compared to 29 in the usual care group, suggesting this approach may also help reduce blood pressure. It was suggested that there is. About NHS care.

A large-scale trial will begin next year to assess how best to offer self-monitoring of blood pressure to more women with high blood pressure after pregnancy across the NHS.

“An encouraging discovery”

Dr Sonya Babu Narayan, Associate Medical Director and Consultant Cardiologist, said: “High blood pressure during pregnancy is a known risk factor for future heart attacks and strokes, but surprisingly many women are not told about this at the time or are unaware of it.” ”I was asked about it at a medical examination later in life.

“This study shows that providing women with the right knowledge, tools and medical support after a pregnancy with high blood pressure can lead to improved blood pressure. These encouraging findings demonstrate that self-monitoring of blood pressure can improve future cardiac outcomes. This suggests that it may even prevent seizures and strokes, and we look forward to understanding how this approach may benefit women in the long term. ”

This research was also supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NIHR).

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