A major new national study aims to transform understanding of heart disease in pregnancy, the leading cause of maternal death and serious complications in the UK. Heart disease accounts for more than one‑third of pregnancy‑related maternal deaths, yet clinical evidence remains limited.
The new PREG‑HEART (PREGnancy, HEART Health and Cardiovascular Disease) study will create the first UK‑wide, direct‑to‑patient research platform dedicated to investigating heart health in pregnancy. The study is open to pregnant women with diagnosed heart conditions, whether identified before or during pregnancy, as well as women with no history of heart disease.
PREG‑HEART has been designed as a fully digital study, allowing women to enrol online within minutes and participate entirely from home. The secure platform is accessible via mobile or computer and was co‑designed with women who have experienced heart disease in pregnancy.
This approach removes the logistical barriers associated with hospital‑based research and enables women across the UK – regardless of location – to take part.
The study is also prioritising outreach to women from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds, who experience significantly poorer neonatal outcomes. Through partnerships with maternity units serving diverse communities and collaboration with trusted grassroots organisations, researchers aim to build a more inclusive evidence base and help reduce inequalities.
PREG‑HEART is supported through a Pump‑Priming Funding Award from the NIHR–British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Partnership, in collaboration with:
- Cardiomyopathy UK
- The Fetal Medicine Foundation
- EPSRC/UKRI South Yorkshire Digital Health Hub
- Pumping Marvellous
Professor Lucy Chappell, NIHR CEO and Chief Scientific Adviser to the DHSC, said:
“Maternal heart disease can be a devastating illness. The findings from the PREG-HEART study will be crucial in growing our understanding, driving awareness among pregnant women and clinicians, and speeding up diagnosis and treatment to improve outcomes. Studies which bring research to participants in their own homes is vital as it increases accessibility to the highest quality care for all people, particularly those living with the greatest burden of disease. It gives women a voice and improves the lives of people for generations to come.
“This shows the commitment of the Department of Health and Social Care to fund research that tackles the biggest killers, address inequalities and to support the reform shifts from hospital to community and from analogue to digital. This research supports the development of a health and care system fit for the future.”
Heart disease affects around 2% of pregnant women, but existing evidence is limited because most studies are small and based in specialist centres.
PREG‑HEART aims to change that by enabling participants to:
- Provide detailed health information
- Consent to long‑term follow‑up via NHS records
- Contribute to a national dataset suitable for future clinical trials
The study brings together expertise from cardiology, obstetrics, epidemiology, midwifery, genetics and patient advocacy groups. It is being hosted by Heart Hive, a direct‑to‑participant research platform supporting patient‑driven cardiac research.
By creating a large, diverse research cohort, PREG‑HEART will provide the foundation for future clinical trials, improved diagnostic pathways, and better guidance for clinicians, as well as earlier identification of high‑risk women and more personalised and effective pregnancy care.
Researchers are hoping that the study will lead to safer pregnancies, faster diagnoses, and reduced maternal mortality.
Image credit: iStock
