RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Patients’ understanding of long-term cardiovascular risks and associated health-seeking behaviours after pre-eclampsia JF Open Heart JO Open Heart FD British Cardiovascular Society SP e002230 DO 10.1136/openhrt-2022-002230 VO 10 IS 1 A1 Atkinson, Jessica A1 Wei, William A1 Potenza, Stephanie A1 Simpson, Grace A1 Middleton, Anna A1 Walker, Susan A1 Tong, Stephen A1 Hastie, Roxanne A1 Lindquist, Anthea YR 2023 UL http://openheart.bmj.com/content/10/1/e002230.abstract AB Objective The lifelong risks of cardiovascular disease following hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are well described. Awareness of these risks and associated health-seeking behaviours among affected individuals remains unclear. We aimed to assess participants’ knowledge of their cardiovascular disease risk and relevant health-seeking behaviours following a pregnancy affected by preeclampsia or gestational hypertension.Methods We undertook a single-site, cross-sectional cohort study. The target population included individuals who birthed at a large tertiary referral centre in Melbourne, Australia, between 2016 and 2020, and were diagnosed with gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia. Participants completed a survey assessing pregnancy details, medical comorbidities, knowledge of future risks and health-seeking behaviours post-pregnancy.Results 1526 individuals met inclusion criteria and 438 (28.6%) completed the survey. Of these, 62.6% (n=237) were unaware of their increased risk of cardiovascular disease following a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Participants who reported awareness of their increased risk were more likely to have annual blood pressure monitoring (54.6% vs 38.1%, p<0.01), and at least one assessment of blood cholesterol (p<0.01), blood glucose (p=0.03) and renal function (p=0.01). Participants who were aware were more likely to be taking antihypertensive medication (24.5% vs 6.6%, p<0.01) since pregnancy, compared with those who were unaware. There were no differences between groups in diet, exercise or smoking habits.Conclusion Among our study cohort, risk awareness was associated with increased health-seeking behaviours. Participants who were aware of their increased risk of cardiovascular disease were more likely to have regular cardiovascular risk factor assessments. They were also more likely to be taking antihypertensive medication.Data are available upon reasonable request.