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Association of Physical Activity, Sedentary Time and Sleep with Maternal Vascular Function in Women with a History of Preeclampsia
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Association of Physical Activity, Sedentary Time and Sleep with Maternal Vascular Function in Women with a History of Preeclampsia

Virginia R Nuckols, Kristen G Davis, Meaghan N Smith, Mariah L Carey, Blair Bell, Mark K Santillan, Donna A Santillan and Gary L Pierce
Journal of applied physiology (1985), Vol.139(2), pp.384-393
08/01/2025
DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00928.2024
PMCID: PMC12335295
PMID: 40588394

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Abstract

A history of preeclampsia (hxPE) is associated with persistent vascular dysfunction and elevated risk of chronic hypertension. Twenty-four-hour activity behaviors, including physical activity, sedentary time (SED), and sleep are modifiable factors that may promote favorable vascular function and blood pressure in women with a hxPE. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the cross-sectional relations between habitual physical activity, SED and sleep with aortic stiffness and twenty-four-hour blood pressure patterns in young women with a hxPE and healthy pregnancy controls. Participants (n=68; aged 21-42 years, 1-5 years after delivery) wore a thigh-mounted activity monitor (activPAL) for seven days and maintained a sleep log to assess habitual physical activity, SED, sleep duration. Participants underwent measures of aortic stiffness(measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, CFPWV), and twenty-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Women with a hxPE (N=33) did not differ in physical activity, SED or sleep compared with healthy pregnancy controls (N=35). SED (β = 0.214, 95CI [0.004, 0.416]) and light-intensity physical activity (β = -0.204, 95CI [-0.397, -0.004]) were independently related to CFPWV. Frequency of sleep disturbances, but not shorter sleep duration, was associated with higher 24-hour diastolic blood pressure (β = 0.258, 95CI [0.009, 0.525]). Select perceived benefits and barriers to exercise were more pronounced among women with hxPE and benefits were associated with higher moderate-vigorous physical activity (ρ=0.43, P=0.003). Our findings link habitual activity, pregnancy history, and perceived exercise benefits with aortic stiffness and identify population and behavioral targets to improve cardiovascular health in young parous women.
 sleep blood pressure sedentary time aortic stiffness physical activity

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