CARAMEL is pleased to announce the launch of a large-scale study aimed at assessing cardiovascular risk factors in women aged 40 to 60, particularly during the menopausal transition.

The study, involving leading research and clinical partners across Europe and Latin America – including Trinity College Dublin, major hospitals, and health institutions in Spain, Croatia, Greece, Lithuania, and Colombia – will collect data from over 6,000 women through an online survey. This initiative aims to advance the understanding of sex- and gender-specific cardiovascular risks and support the development of tailored prevention strategies leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health solutions.

Women aged 40-60, in menopause or perimenopause, are invited to contribute by completing an anonymous online questionnaire. Their input will inform future cardiovascular prevention programs designed specifically for women in this age group.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death among women in Europe, yet cardiovascular risk in women aged 40-60 is often overlooked. Menopause marks a critical period when cardiovascular risk increases significantly, due to biological and hormonal changes. Despite this, current prevention and risk assessment models frequently fail to account for sex- and gender-specific risk factors, leaving many women underdiagnosed or untreated. The CARAMEL project aims to address this gap by developing innovative AI-supported risk assessment models and self-management tools, specifically tailored to the needs of women during menopause.

The first phase of this effort is the collection of data through the survey, a crucial step toward shaping more precise, personalized prevention approaches. CARAMEL also adopts an inclusive approach by addressing the needs of women with intellectual disabilities, ensuring that their cardiovascular health is not overlooked.

Women aged 40 to 60, experiencing menopause or perimenopause, are invited to complete the online survey. The questionnaire collects general health and lifestyle information, with all responses being fully anonymous and used exclusively for research purposes.

In addition, healthcare professionals, women’s health organizations, and community groups are encouraged to support this initiative by disseminating the survey within their networks. Their engagement is vital to ensuring broad participation, which will ultimately enhance the quality and applicability of the research outcomes.

Link to the online Survey: https://nursingandmidwifery.fra1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dgpwhTUdxPRg498.

CARAMEL (CArdiovascular Risk Assessment in MEnopausaL women via multimodal data analysis enabling personalized prevention strategies) is a research project funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe program. The consortium brings together leading research institutions, hospitals, SMEs, for a total of 25 partners across 11 countries. The project’s objective is to develop advanced cardiovascular risk assessment models and digital tools to empower women aged 40-60 to actively manage their cardiovascular health. The project will run for 5 years, during which it will develop new digital tools and clinical guidelines aimed at improving prevention and early detection of cardiovascular disease in women, with a particular focus on the menopausal transition.

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