A UK-wide, direct-to-patient platform for studying cardiovascular disease in pregnancy
This UK-wide study, PREG-HEART, wants to better understand heart conditions in pregnancy. About 4% of pregnant women have heart disease, which can be serious for both mothers and babies. Because these conditions vary and women are spread across the country, it's hard to find enough participants for research. This study creates an online platform where women with heart conditions (or healthy pregnant women) can easily sign up. They'll share health information about their pregnancies online. This will help researchers learn how these conditions affect pregnancy and mothers long-term, leading to better treatments and management in the future. There are no direct benefits from joining, but your contribution could help many others.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study, called PREG-HEART, is all about understanding how heart conditions affect women during and after pregnancy. Doctors and researchers want to learn more about how these heart problems impact pregnancy itself, what the long-term effects are for mothers, and the best ways to treat and manage these conditions effectively.
Heart conditions in pregnancy can be quite serious for both mothers and babies, affecting around 4 out of every 100 pregnant women. The challenge for researchers is that there are many different types of heart conditions, and women with these conditions live all over the UK, receiving care in various hospitals. This makes it really difficult to bring enough women with specific heart conditions together for studies, which slows down research into better treatments.
That's why this study is creating a special online platform. It's designed to make it much easier for women with heart conditions in pregnancy (and also healthy pregnant women as a comparison) to take part in research. You can sign up from home, give your permission electronically, and share information about your health and pregnancies. This online approach removes common barriers like needing to travel to specific hospitals or living in certain areas, making it simple for more women to contribute to important research.
Key takeaways
- Online study to understand heart conditions in pregnancy.
- Share health info through questionnaires from home.
- Helps improve future care for pregnant women.
- Open to women 16+ with or without heart conditions.
- Participation involves no direct health benefits or risks.
- You can withdraw at any time.
Who may be eligible?
You might be able to join this study if you are a woman aged 16 or older and are registered with a GP in the UK. You also need to be able to give your informed permission to take part.
There are two main groups who can join: 1. Women who are currently pregnant or have been pregnant before, and were diagnosed with a heart condition before, during, or up to six months after their pregnancy. This includes many different types of heart problems, such as issues with heart muscle, valves, blood pressure, or conditions present from birth. 2. Women who are currently pregnant and do not have any diagnosed heart condition. These women will act as a healthy comparison group.
Unfortunately, you cannot join if you are unable to give consent for yourself, or if you don't have internet access or an email address, as the study is completely online.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you a woman aged 16 or older?
- Are you registered with a GP in the UK?
- Can you give your permission to join the study (consent)?
- Are you currently pregnant with a heart condition, or without a heart condition?
- Have you been pregnant before and had a heart condition diagnosed around that time?
- Do you have internet access and an email address?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, you'll be invited to register on an online platform called PREG-HEART. You'll give your permission electronically and then securely enter information about yourself, your health, and your current or past pregnancies.
Over time, you'll be asked to complete online questionnaires. You'll fill one out when you first register, another after your pregnancy ends, and then up to once a year after that. These questionnaires will ask about your health and how your pregnancies turned out.
You'll also have the option to agree to provide samples (like blood, urine, or spit) in the future for other research, if you wish. Additionally, you can choose to be contacted about other relevant research studies on heart health in pregnancy. The study is starting in November 2025 and aims to run indefinitely, so your participation could be ongoing through these annual updates.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- N/A - this is an online platform study therefore there are no research sitesCity only-, England
Common questions
What is PREG-HEART?
PREG-HEART is an online platform for a research study aiming to understand heart conditions in pregnancy better.
Will I get any medicine or treatment in this study?
No, this is an observational study, which means it collects information. You will not receive any treatments or medicines from the study.
How long will I be involved?
The study aims to run indefinitely, and you will be asked to complete annual questionnaires after your pregnancy, so your involvement could be long-term.
Where is the study happening?
The study is run by the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, but as it's online, you can take part from anywhere in the UK.
Who is paying for this research?
The study is funded by the British Heart Foundation and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in the UK.
How to find out more
Upasana Tayal
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
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