How sedentary behavior and sleep affect heart health during pregnancy
Official title: Sedentary behavior, physical activity, sleep, and cardiovascular risk in pregnancy: the Pregnancy 24/7 cohort study
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11179653 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sitting too much and sleep habits affect heart health during pregnancy, especially for women who might face issues like high blood pressure, and it aims to help improve health for moms and their babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $227,757 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HL153095-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11179653 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women who may be at risk for gestational hypertension or preeclampsia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those with pre-existing severe cardiovascular conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of sedentary behavior and sleep patterns on cardiovascular health risks in pregnant women. It aims to identify how these factors contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, which can lead to future cardiovascular disease. By examining the full spectrum of daily activities, including light-intensity physical activity, the study seeks to provide insights that could inform clinical interventions and guidelines for improving maternal health. Participants will be monitored to assess their behaviors and health outcomes throughout their pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved guidelines for pregnant women to enhance their cardiovascular health and reduce risks associated with pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing lifestyle factors like physical activity can significantly improve health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may also yield beneficial results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whitaker, Kara Marie — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Whitaker, Kara Marie
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.