Lifestyle Outcomes Six and Twelve Months After Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: A Blood Pressure Postpartum Sub-Study

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but few studies have explored the efficacy of lifestyle interventions to improve CVD risk post-HDP. This study compared the 6 month (6M) and 12 month (12M) dietary and physical activity outcomes of women post-HDP participating in one of three lifestyle interventions. <b>Methods</b>: This sub-study of the Blood Pressure Postpartum (BP²) randomised controlled trial included participants from six hospitals across Sydney, Australia, randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group 1 (usual care) received general postpartum health information; Group 2 (brief education) received usual care plus an individualised cardiovascular risk assessment and lifestyle counselling; Group 3 (extended lifestyle) received all Group 2 components plus enrolment in a six-month telephone coaching programme. Baseline and post-intervention data were collected at 6M and 12M, respectively. Diet and physical activity were assessed using the NSW Population Health Survey, alongside cardiometabolic measures. <b>Results</b>: Overall, 405 women provided complete 6M and 12M data (Group 1 <i>n</i> = 129, Group 2 <i>n</i> = 137, Group 3 <i>n</i> = 139). From 6M to 12M, Group 3 increased their vegetable serves/day (3.0 vs. 2.0, <i>p</i> = 0.001). No significant changes in fruit intake and physical activity levels were observed among groups. Groups 2 and 3 reported that nutritional information had a greater influence on their food choices at 12M (<i>p</i> = 0.010 and <i>p</i> < 0.001, respectively). At 12M, higher vegetable and fruit intake correlated with lower body mass index (BMI) (<i>p</i> = 0.006, <i>p</i> = 0.003) and waist circumference (<i>p</i> = 0.035, <i>p</i> = 0.014), and increased vigorous and strength exercise correlated with lower BMI (<i>p</i> = 0.005, <i>p</i> = 0.003) and waist circumference (<i>p</i> < 0.001, <i>p</i> < 0.001). <b>Conclusions</b>: Intensive lifestyle interventions improved vegetable intake and nutrition awareness in post-HDP women at 12M, holding promise for long-term cardiometabolic health benefits.