A call to action on pregnancy-related lifestyle interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk in the offspring. A Scientific Statement of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology of the ESC

Abstract

Adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, fetal growth restriction, and prematurity, can increase the risk of future cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the offspring. This document aims to raise recognition of the impact of maternal health on offspring cardiometabolic health and to highlight research gaps on how to mitigate this risk via pregnancy-related lifestyle interventions. Lifestyle interventions initiated before, during, or after pregnancy hold great promise to prevent and manage adverse maternal outcomes. Still, there is limited evidence for the effect of such interventions on CVD-related outcomes in the offspring. In this document, we "Call for action" concerning research investigating how pregnancy-related lifestyle interventions can reduce CVD risk in the offspring. There is a need to overcome barriers to recruit individuals who need such interventions the most, to better design strategies for increased adherence, and to include relevant measurements in children.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; behaviour change; diet; epigenetics; exercise; hypertension; infant; metabolism; nutrition; sleep; supplements.