Maternal Heart Health

The Maternal Heart Health is an ancillary study of the iGrow study, focusing on the influence of the physical and built environment on the cardiometabolic risk during pregnancy and postpartum cardiovascular health led by Forgive Avorgbedor Ph.D., RN, Esther Leerkes, Ph.D., Laurie Wideman Ph.D., Thomas McCoy, Ph.D., PStat.

Our primary goal is to investigate the relationship between the physical environment and cardiometabolic risk factors during pregnancy and the impact on cardiovascular health in the postpartum period. The study measures arterial stiffness via pulse wave velocity, an indicator of long-term cardiovascular health. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation funds the Maternal Heart Health study.