Research Highlights:
In a study including nearly 500 pregnant women in three U.S. cities from 2020-2025, sedentary behavior, sleep and physical activity across a 7-day, 24-hour timeframe during each trimester were measured. The amount of time spent…
Increased physical activity and reduced sedentary time before and during pregnancy may lower the risk of developing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. These disorders, which include gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, are a primary cause of health complications and death for both mothers and infants. They also elevate the future risk of heart disease for both mother and child.
A study tracking over 5,000 women found that those who engaged in more light, moderate, or vigorous physical activity had a significantly lower risk of these conditions. Women with the most activity showed a 30 to 37 percent reduced risk compared to those with the least activity. Every additional 25 minutes per day of light activity and every 10 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous activity were linked to a 5 percent reduction in risk.
Conversely, spending too much time sedentary was associated with an increased risk. Women who were sedentary for less than 9.6 hours per day had a 24 percent lower risk of hypertensive disorders compared to those sedentary for more than 10.9 hours daily. Each additional hour spent sedentary was associated with a 6 percent higher risk. The beneficial effects of activity and the negative effects of sedentary time were evident whether these behaviors occurred before or during pregnancy.
These findings suggest that promoting regular physical activity and decreasing sedentary behavior could be crucial in preventing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, benefiting women even before they become pregnant. Experts recommend that women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy adhere to physical activity guidelines, typically involving 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity each week.
https://newsroom.heart.org/news/more-activity-and-less-sitting-may-reduce-risk-of-hypertensive-disorders-in-pregnancy
