A new study indicates that pregnant women who reduce long periods of sitting and incorporate more light, everyday movement can lower their risk of high blood pressure-related complications by nearly 30 percent.
The findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026.
Researchers emphasised that it is not only structured exercise but the overall balance between sitting and moving throughout the day that helps prevent hypertension during pregnancy.
Lead author Kara Whitaker, PhD, MPH, FAHA, associate professor at the University of Iowa, said, “Our study suggests that in daily life, where routines vary widely, the balance of sitting time and light-intensity movement across the day may be most important.
This doesn’t mean exercise isn’t valuable, but when it comes to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, everyday movement and limiting prolonged sitting may play a larger role than previously thought.”
Study design and results
The study tracked 470 pregnant women aged 18–45, enrolled in their first trimester and followed until six weeks postpartum. Each participant wore activity monitors for seven days per trimester, recording time spent sitting, standing, walking lightly, exercising at higher intensity, and sleeping.
Results showed that 18.6% developed gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. Sedentary time and light activity were the strongest predictors of risk across all trimesters, while traditional exercise had less impact. Women who averaged six hours of sitting, nearly eight hours of light activity (walking, household chores, standing tasks), four minutes of higher-intensity activity, and 10 hours of rest had only an 8% risk of complications, compared with 16.9% among those with more typical patterns. This mix reduced risk by more than half compared with average movement patterns, and by nearly 80% compared with the least healthy ones. Risk rose sharply when sitting exceeded 10 hours per day or light activity fell below five hours.
Why hypertension matters in pregnancy
High blood pressure affects 5–10% of pregnancies and is a leading cause of serious illness and death for mothers and babies. Conditions such as gestational hypertension and preeclampsia can result in preterm birth, low birthweight, organ damage, and, in severe cases, eclampsia or maternal stroke. The American Heart Association notes that pregnancy-related hypertension also increases long-term cardiovascular risk, making prevention strategies critical.
Sitting or moving
Women who limited sitting to about six hours and spread light activity throughout the day had the lowest risk. In contrast, sitting more than 10 hours and reducing light activity below five hours significantly increased hypertension risk. Whitaker said these findings could help shape future guidelines, offering practical, achievable recommendations for healthier pregnancies.
Practical tips for pregnant women
The goal is not intense workouts but consistent, gentle movement throughout the day, such as:
- Breaking up sitting every 30–60 minutes with short walks or standing breaks.
- Choosing active chores like light cleaning or walking errands.
- Standing while talking on the phone, cooking, or using a standing desk.
- Taking short walks after meals, even just 5–10 minutes.
