Clinical Trial

Assessing Cardiovascular Function and Identifying Risk in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy through Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET)

Research suggests that impaired blood flow through the smaller blood vessels (microcirculation) in the uterus can lead to pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension. This impaired microcirculation also occurs in the heart and is the primary cause of poor heart function. Impaired microculation can be assessed using the cardiopulmonary exercise stress test, or CPET, which is similar to a treadmill stress test on a bicycle. This research study will compare CPET results in women who have been pregnant previously to see if women whose pregnancies were complicated by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, gestational hypertension, HELLP) have impaired heart and blood vessel function compared to women with uncomplicated pregnancies. In doing so, the CPET and other similar tests can potentially be established as tools to evaluate risk of developing these conditions during pregnancy or developing cardiovascular conditions after pregnancy, which may lead to better management.

• Circulatory System
• Female Reproductive System
• Respiratory System
• Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test
• CPET
• Eclampsia
• Gestational Hypertension
• Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy
• Microcirculation
• Pre-eclampsia
• Pregnancy Complications