Women's health: an imAging-based cardiovascular risK-rEdUction Program (WAKE UP) study. Rationale and design

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the leading cause of death in women. Although 80% of CV disease events can be prevented, mortality is projected to increase, particularly in young women. Objectives: To promote CV health in women and encourage appropriate lifestyle changes by increasing awareness through vascular ultrasound imaging. Methods: WAKE UP is a prospective case-control study in a target population of 720 asymptomatic women, aged 40–70 years with ≥1 major CV risk factor (RF). Participants will attend a baseline visit and follow-up visits at 6 and 12-months. Each visit will include the assessment of traditional and non-traditional risk factors (age, blood pressure, weight, smoking, diet, physical activity, psychosocial aspects, reproductive factors, family lifestyle), CV risk scores [Fuster-BEWAT Score (FBS) and SCORE], perception of CV disease risk, blood sampling of hormones, lipids, glycemic metabolism, inflammation parameters and omics. At baseline visit, women will be randomized to undergo 2D/3D/strain vascular ultrasound (360 with imaging vs. 360 age- and RF-matched controls without imaging). Main outcomes will include changes from baseline to follow-up in overall knowledge, attitudes, and FBS. Conclusions: WAKE UP trial aims to raise awareness about womeńs CV disease and promote lifestyle changes. Imaging can play a key role by revealing the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in a directly relatable way and thus, larger effects are anticipated in women with plaques. WAKE UP can significantly impact CV prevention by involving innovative actions addressing a major public health need and by fostering complementary and synergistic actions.