A risk reduction model for late-onset preeclampsia: a theory for using low-intensity exercises to enhance cardiac homeostasis in nursing research and practice.

Viewing late-onset preeclampsia as an autonomic dysregulation is a new approach. It is one that will provide nurses and other clinicians with theory-based prenatal care choices that focus on enhancing homeostasis rather than prediction. The dominant prediction model manages the disease based on one biomedical pathway even though the disease is believed to be heterogeneous. Unlike early-onset preeclampsia, which involves severe placental pathophysiology and thus should be left for medical research, late-onset preeclampsia--intact placenta with maternal cardiovascular dysregulation--may be prevented with a lifestyle intervention, in particular, low-intensity exercise. This article discusses a nursing approach to promote health and reduce risks even when the etiology of the disease remains unknown.