# Perceived Risk Perception of Future Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes in the Postpartum Period

## TL;DR

Most postpartum women in Australia underestimate their future risk of diabetes and heart disease, even with a history of certain pregnancy-related conditions.

## Contribution

This study identifies how pregnancy-related conditions influence perceived risk of future diabetes and cardiovascular disease in postpartum women.

## Key findings

- Women with a history of gestational diabetes or hypertension had higher perceived diabetes risk.
- Pre-eclampsia and diabetes were linked to higher perceived cardiovascular disease risk.
- Perceived risk for both diseases remained low overall, regardless of other conditions or lifestyle behaviors.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Risk perception of future disease may play a role in supporting lifestyle change to prevent diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is unknown how women in the postpartum period with different cardiometabolic conditions perceive their future risk of DM and CVD, and whether this perception influences engagement in a healthy lifestyle. Methods: Cross-sectional study of women who delivered in the past five years (n = 497) living in Australia. Logistic regression analyses examined associations between history of pregnancy (gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational hypertension (GHP), pre-eclampsia, spontaneous preterm birth (PTB), small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants), and non-pregnancy (polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), infertility) conditions with perceived risk of DM or CVD, and with lifestyle behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and diet). Results: Overall, most participants had a low perceived risk of developing future DM (73.4%) and CVD (75.2%), which varied by condition type. History of GDM and GHP were associated with higher DM risk perception (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.06, 3.15; OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.28, 5.84), whereas history of pre-eclampsia and DM were associated with higher CVD risk perception (OR 4.48, 95% CI 1.88, 10.62; OR 3.78, 95% CI 1.20, 11.88). History of PTB, SGA infant, PCOS, infertility, and lifestyle behaviours were not consistently associated with perceived risk of DM and CVD. Conclusions: Postpartum risk perception of developing future DM and CVD was low, even in the presence of female-specific cardiometabolic conditions. This highlights the need for greater postpartum support to enhance risk awareness and support a healthy lifestyle.