Australia to Lead Global Research into Menopause and Heart Disease Links
Australian researchers are set to spearhead a groundbreaking $15 million international research initiative aimed at unraveling the critical connections between menopause and heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death for women worldwide. This ambitious project represents a significant step forward in addressing a major gap in women's cardiovascular health.
A Landmark Study with Global Implications
The research, co-led by Melbourne University professor Martha Hickey, one of Australia's foremost women's health specialists, seeks to prevent millions of women from developing cardiovascular disease during and after menopause. Professor Hickey emphasized that many women experience a sharp increase in heart disease risk following menopause, and international experts are eager to identify effective mitigation strategies.
"We know that menopause seems to be a critical time for women's heart health, and this major global study will help us support women and clinicians to reduce this risk," Professor Hickey stated. "I believe that together we can make a real change in the understanding and management of heart health for millions of women worldwide."
The SHE-HEALS Study: Investigating Silent Changes
The project, known as the SHE-HEALS study, will be co-led by British Heart Foundation and University of Cambridge professor Ziad Mallat. It will employ cutting-edge techniques to examine the arterial changes that begin during peri-menopause and contribute to escalating heart disease risk as women age. This clinical trial will be the largest of its kind, focusing on detecting the silent changes that lead to artery hardening.
The research team will test whether earlier preventive measures, such as reducing cholesterol or blood pressure immediately after menopause, can halt or even reverse disease progression. Additionally, the study will explore how the age at menopause influences heart disease risk, including among women who experienced early menopause due to surgical interventions, and assess the impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on disease outcomes.
International Collaboration and Funding
This pioneering research has received funding through a subgroup of the Global Cardiovascular Research Funders Forum, a network of major international cardiovascular research funding organizations. The Heart Foundation serves as Australia's representative within this forum. The nearly US$10 million women's cardiovascular health grant marks the alliance's first major joint investment, described as a "bold step" to address unmet clinical needs in women's cardiovascular health.
The project will be supported by a global team spanning 13 institutions across seven countries, highlighting the collaborative nature of this endeavor. Heart Foundation chief executive officer David Lloyd noted that the foundation is one of ten bodies contributing funding as a founding member of the international funding forum.
"We are extremely proud to be supporting this study, and it just goes to show the degree of expertise Australia has when it comes to research excellence," Mr. Lloyd remarked. "Together, GCRFF members hope this winning network will deliver impact that no single country could achieve alone."
Shaping Future Global Guidelines
The findings from this comprehensive study have the potential to shape global guidelines on the prevention and management of heart disease among menopausal women for decades to come. Professor Hickey pointed out that current clinical guidelines often miss a vital window for earlier prevention, underscoring the importance of this research in filling critical knowledge gaps.
Professor Mallat expressed optimism about the project's potential, stating, "By bringing together this global team of experts, we believe we can make meaningful progress to advance the prevention, treatment, and care of heart disease for women around the world."
This initiative not only highlights Australia's leadership in medical research but also underscores a growing international commitment to improving women's health outcomes through collaborative, evidence-based approaches.
