Challenge

CARAMEL’s Challenge
The women’s unmet needs

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among women in Europe, yet it remains
underestimated, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. Despite medical advancements, women
continue to be at a higher risk of misdiagnosis and insufficient preventive care compared to men.

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women in the EU, 17% of women die from CVD before the age of 65, also presenting many non-fatal CVD events at younger age with life-long consequences.

Risk factors

Main risk factors (RFs) for CVD include high blood pressure, hypertension and dyslipidaemia and are modifiable to a great extent by reducing sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, alcohol, and smoking.

Symptoms

CVD risk factors, disease trajectories and clinical presentation in women differs from men’s. Symptoms in women are often atypical and mistaken for anxiety or stress-related conditions.

Menopause

The menopause transition (around 50 years of age) is a time of accelerating CVD risk, due to the loss of the protective effects of oestrogen, and early interventions to reduce risk become more important.

CVD-RA

Current CVD risk assessment (CVD-RA) models fail to consider women-specific risk factors

CARAMEL aims to bridge this gap by providing AI-driven,
personalised risk assessment and prevention strategies tailored to
women’s unique cardiovascular health needs.

CARAMEL approach

AI-powered insights: Advanced Machine Learning and Deep Learning algorithms analyse multiple data sources to identify hidden risk patterns.
Multimodal data integration: Combining clinical, biological, behavioural and digital health data provides a comprehensive picture of cardiovascular risk.
Women-centred risk prediction: Considering hormonal changes, pregnancy history, menopause-related factors, as well as gender-related factors for accurate assessment.

Risk factors for cardiovascular
disease in women

The role of the EU in advancing women’s cardiovascular health

The European Union is committed to improving public health, advancing medical research, and reducing health inequalities across its member states. Through Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation program, significant investments are being made to support groundbreaking projects like CARAMEL.

This investment supports the EU’s long-term goals for innovative and inclusive healthcare:

  • Enhancing early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases.
  • Harnessing digital health and AI for more accurate, data-driven healthcare solutions.
  • Advancing sex and gender-specific research to bridge gaps in women’s health and ensure tailored prevention strategies.
  • Strengthening health systems across Europe through innovative models of care and risk assessment.

CARAMEL outcomes will contribute to the future of EU Cardiovascular Health Plan.

Useful links:
Council of the European Union
European Society of Cardiology

The role of the EU in advancing women’s cardiovascular health

The European Union is committed to improving public health, advancing medical research, and reducing health inequalities across its member states. Through Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation program, significant investments are being made to support groundbreaking projects like CARAMEL.

This investment supports the EU’s long-term goals for innovative and inclusive healthcare:

  • Enhancing early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases.
  • Harnessing digital health and AI for more accurate, data-driven healthcare solutions.
  • Advancing sex and gender-specific research to bridge gaps in women’s health and ensure tailored prevention strategies.
  • Strengthening health systems across Europe through innovative models of care and risk assessment.

CARAMEL outcomes will contribute to the future of EU Cardiovascular Health Plan.

Useful links:
Council of the European Union
European Society of Cardiology

The role of the EU in advancing women’s cardiovascular health

The European Union is committed to improving public health, advancing medical research, and reducing health inequalities across its member states. Through Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation program, significant investments are being made to support groundbreaking projects like CARAMEL.

This investment supports the EU’s long-term goals for innovative and inclusive healthcare:

  • Enhancing early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases.
  • Harnessing digital health and AI for more accurate, data-driven healthcare solutions.
  • Advancing sex and gender-specific research to bridge gaps in women’s health and ensure tailored prevention strategies.
  • Strengthening health systems across Europe through innovative models of care and risk assessment.

CARAMEL outcomes will contribute to the future of EU Cardiovascular Health Plan.

Useful links:
Council of the European Union
European Society of Cardiology