JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among females in America. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) negatively impact acute and long-term cardiovascular health, with approximately 16% of all pregnancies affected. With CVD 2-4 times more likely after HDP compared to normotensive pregnancies, effective interventions to promote cardiovascular health are imperative. Given that physical activity (PA) is associated with decreased CVD risk, promotion of this behavior may be a promising approach in a postpartum population affected by HDP.

Methods:

A remotely delivered 14-week health coaching intervention was designed, based on formative work, to promote PA during the postpartum period. Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy to increase PA was tested via a single arm proof-of-concept study involving 19 women who were 3-6 months postpartum HDP. PA behavior (steps/day) was measured with an activPAL4 micro.

Results:

A total of 140 of 152 possible health coaching sessions were attended by those who started the intervention (n = 19; 92.1%). Intervention completers (n=17) indicated they were satisfied with the program (100%) and would recommend it to others (100%). No significant changes in activPAL measured steps were observed from pre- to post-testing (+138.40±1294.00 steps/day; P = 0.75).

Conclusions:

While PA behaviors did not change, the intervention was found to be feasible and acceptable among this sample of at-risk women. After additional refinement, the intervention should be retested among a larger, more diverse, and less active sample.