Overview
The purpose of this study is to understand more about why young people who were born to a hypertensive pregnancy may have increased risk of high blood pressure and are often at increased risk of heart and blood vessel disease later in life.
Description
Women who develop blood pressure problems during pregnancy are more likely to have high blood pressure (hypertension) in later life as well as heart attacks or strokes. The children born to the pregnancy also tend to have higher blood pressure and are often at increased risk of heart and blood vessel disease later in life. Previous work has shown that children born to pregnancies where the mother has high blood pressure have changes in their blood vessels, heart and brain that can be measured long before they develop high blood pressure or other clinical symptoms. By understanding the pattern of changes cross multiple parts of the body, over a lifetime, the investigators can identify how advanced the underlying disease is for an individual and how their disease is likely to develop over the next few years.
The aim of this study is to understand the heart and blood vessel changes of people born to a hypertensive pregnancy once they are in their 20s and 30s. The investigators then hope to use this information to develop new ways to prevent early onset heart and blood vessel disease in these people.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study
- Male or female, aged 30 to 40 years at time of enrolment
- Participant previously took part in the ALSPAC study
- Able (in the investigator's opinion) and willing to comply with all study requirements
- Adequate understanding of verbal and written English
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant or lactating when they are due to attend for study visit 1
- Less than six months postpartum
- Planning to donate blood within two weeks prior to study visit 1
- Any significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the investigator, might influence the participant's ability to participate in the study
- Evidence of congenital heart disease or significant chronic disease relevant to cardiovascular or metabolic status
For exclusion of MRI component only:
- Unsuitable for MRI based on participant screening; the participant may still be included in other parts of the study