Heart Health 4 New Moms: A Randomized Trial in the First Year After Preeclampsia

The overall objective of this study is to conduct a pilot trial of an internet-based lifestyle intervention and home blood pressure monitoring in the year after delivery among overweight and obese women with preeclampsia to evaluate feasibility, acceptability and to assess the effect of the intervention. The investigators hypothesize that compared to usual care, an internet-based lifestyle intervention implemented in the immediate postpartum period in overweight and obese women with preeclampsia improves weight loss at one year postpartum. 150 overweight or obese women with preeclampsia will be randomized into internet-based lifestyle intervention plus home blood pressure monitoring, home blood pressure monitoring alone, or usual care groups in the postpartum period. The investigators will assess feasibility by the proportions of women who are eligible, enroll, and remain in the study at one year. The effect of home blood pressure monitoring on blood pressure and progression to sustained hypertension will also be explored. A successful outcome of this study would have a direct impact to improve cardiovascular health and future pregnancy health in women who have had preeclampsia.

Inclusion criteria

• pre-pregnancy body mass index ≥25 kg/m2
• diagnosed with preeclampsia or gestational hypertension
• access to internet

Exclusion criteria

• multiple gestation
• medical co-morbidities: chronic kidney disease, active liver disease (acute hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis), active cardiac disease, pre-pregnancy diabetes mellitus, chronic hypertension diagnosed prior to pregnancy
• pregnancy prior to randomization