RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Hypertension Explored in Long-term Postpartum Follow-up in Later Life

This study is for women who experienced high blood pressure during pregnancy. Researchers want to understand why these women might be more likely to develop problems with their heart and blood vessels, like high blood pressure, later in life. They believe that changes in the heart, brain, and blood vessels can start slowly over many years. By looking at images of these parts of the body 10 to 25 years after pregnancy, scientists hope to learn how these changes develop over time. This research aims to find out how serious these problems might become and how they can be better treated in the future, possibly leading to more personal care plans.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Oxford

Enrolment target

200

Start

23 Mar 2023

Estimated completion

01 Nov 2042

Hypertension Cardiovascular Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Vascular Diseases

What is this study about?

If you experienced high blood pressure during pregnancy, this study might be of interest to you. Researchers are trying to understand why women like you might be at a higher risk of developing conditions such as high blood pressure and other heart and blood vessel problems later in life. It's thought that even before these problems become clear, subtle changes might already be happening in your heart, brain, and blood vessels. This study aims to track these changes over a long period.

The scientists will be looking at information and images of the heart, brain, and blood vessels of women 10 to 25 years after their pregnancy. By comparing women who had high blood pressure during pregnancy with those who didn't, they hope to see how these changes develop. They'll also combine this with information from other studies to get a clearer picture of how these patterns emerge throughout the body. The goal is to understand how these changes progress from a healthy state to a diseased one.

The main reason for doing this research is to learn more about the development of high blood pressure and related conditions in this group of women. By understanding these patterns better, the researchers hope to find new and more personal ways to prevent and treat these problems in the future. This could lead to better healthcare and support for women who have had high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Key takeaways

This study explores health risks after high blood pressure in pregnancy.
It aims to understand long-term changes in heart, brain, and blood vessels.
Results could lead to better, more personal treatments for these conditions.
Participation involves assessments, including body imaging, over time.
You must have had a pregnancy 10-25 years ago and be aged 30-70.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be a woman who is comfortable giving your permission to take part and can follow all the study instructions. You must have had a pregnancy 10 to 25 years ago and be aged between 30 and 70. You also need to understand spoken and written English.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you are currently more than 10 weeks pregnant. Also, if you have a known heart problem present since birth or a serious long-term illness that affects your heart or your body's metabolism (how it uses energy), you might not be able to participate. If the study team believes any significant health condition would make it difficult for you to take part, you would also be excluded.

Sometimes, part of the study involves having an MRI scan (a type of body scan). If you are unable to have an MRI scan for safety reasons (which would be checked by a screening form), you might still be able to take part in other parts of the study.

Quick self-check

Are you female and between 30 and 70 years old?
Did you have a pregnancy 10 to 25 years ago?
Are you able to understand and speak English well?
Do you feel you can keep all appointments and follow study instructions?
Are you not currently more than 10 weeks pregnant?
Do you *not* have a known heart condition from birth or a serious long-term illness affecting your heart or metabolism?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

The detailed involvement in this study would be explained to you fully by the study team. It will involve providing your informed consent to participate. Researchers will gather data, including images of your heart, brain, and blood vessels. These assessments are typically done at a study facility. It's likely that you would have initial checks and then potentially follow-up assessments over time to track changes. The study does not mention any new medications being given. The total duration of your participation would depend on whether you are involved in single or repeated assessments.

Potential risks and benefits

Potential benefits of taking part could include contributing to a better understanding of women's health after pregnancy, which may lead to improved future care for other women. While there are no direct personal health benefits mentioned for participating, the information gained could lead to more tailored treatments in the future. Potential risks might include the time commitment for appointments and the minor risks associated with medical imaging like MRI scans, which would be explained fully. Remember, you would always have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason.

Locations (1)

University of Oxford Department of Cardiovascular Medicine
Oxford, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

The main goal is to understand why women who had high blood pressure during pregnancy might develop heart and blood vessel problems later in life.

Who can take part in this study?

Women aged 30-70 who had a pregnancy 10 to 25 years ago and experienced high blood pressure during that pregnancy may be eligible. You must also understand English.

What will I have to do if I join the study?

You would likely have appointments where researchers will take images of your heart, brain, and blood vessels. More details would be given if you are interested.

Will I receive any new medicine in this study?

The study description does not mention giving any new medications. The focus is on understanding existing health patterns through assessments.

Will taking part benefit me personally?

While there are no direct personal health benefits guaranteed, your participation will help scientists learn more, which could lead to better care for women in the future.

How to find out more

Katie Suriano

helpful@cardiov.ox.ac.uk 01865226845 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.