Risk Perception for Developing Cardiometabolic Disease Among Women Diagnosed with Preeclampsia and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO), including preeclampsia (PE) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), increase the future risk of developing cardiometabolic disease (CMD), such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). CVD is the leading cause of death among women. Despite the well-established relationship between APO and CMD, women’s awareness is limited. We aimed to assess and compare risk perception for future CMD among women with PE and GDM. Methods: Women diagnosed with PE and GDM between 2015 and 2020 at the University Hospital St. Pölten were identified. Telephone interviews were conducted to assess women’s risk perception of future CMD. Results: Of the 161 women included in the study, approximately half had a high risk perception of future CMD. Women with PE (n = 46) were less aware of their long-term risks than those with GDM (n = 115), and 43.5% were unaware of any association between APO and CMD. Risk perception increased among all the participants when they considered their future CMD risk without lifestyle changes. Women with high risk perceptions were three times more likely to plan on modifying their lifestyle behaviors in the future to mitigate their CMD risk. Conclusion: This study demonstrated a lack of risk perception for future CMD among women with APO, underscoring the need for improved patient education during and after pregnancy. To increase risk perception, it is crucial to educate women about the long-term risks associated with APO, emphasize the severity of CMD, and promote lifestyle interventions.