New Global Initiative Aims to Redefine Menopause and Heart Health
A groundbreaking global study has secured $10 million to launch the largest trial yet focused on how menopause shapes heart health. The SHE-HEALS study, co-led by BHF Professor Ziad Mallat at the University of Cambridge and Professor Martha Hi…, seeks to uncover how hormonal changes during menopause influence arteries, with the goal of detecting silent damage early and preventing cardiovascular disease before symptoms appear.
Why This Research Matters
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death among women, and risk often rises after menopause. Yet traditional risk assessments can overlook subtle vascular changes that precede heart events. The SHE-HEALS project aims to change that by tracking how menopause alters arterial health over time, using advanced imaging and biomarkers to identify early warning signs.
Detecting Silent Artery Changes
The study will employ state-of-the-art imaging techniques and non-invasive tests to detect changes in arterial walls and blood flow that occur quietly during the menopausal transition. By identifying these silent alterations, researchers hope to develop more precise risk profiles for women and offer targeted prevention strategies long before symptoms arise.
Global Collaboration, Diverse Insights
With partners across multiple continents, the SHE-HEALS trial will enroll a diverse cohort of participants representing different ethnicities, lifestyles, and medical histories. This global approach ensures findings are broadly applicable and can inform guidelines that reflect a wide range of women’s experiences with menopause.
Approach and Potential Impact
The researchers plan to integrate hormonal assessments, imaging data, genetics, and lifestyle information to build a comprehensive picture of how menopause affects vascular health. The goal is not only to detect risk earlier but also to test prevention strategies—ranging from lifestyle modifications to potential hormonal interventions—that could reduce the incidence of heart disease in postmenopausal women.
Who Is Behind the Effort
The project is driven by leaders in women’s cardiovascular health, including Ziad Mallat and Martha Hi…, whose work has highlighted gaps in how menopause is linked to heart disease. Their collaboration brings together expertise in cardiology, endocrinology, and epidemiology to tackle this complex issue from multiple angles.
What Success Looks Like
Successful outcomes would include validated methods for early detection of vascular changes specific to menopause, actionable risk models for clinicians, and demonstrated effectiveness of preventive strategies in reducing heart events among menopausal women. If achieved, SHE-HEALS could transform routine care and empower women to take proactive steps during the menopausal transition.
Broader Significance for Public Health
As populations age globally, rising numbers of women will undergo menopause. A clear, evidence-based understanding of how menopause shapes heart health can inform public health messaging, improve patient education, and optimize resource allocation for prevention programs. This research aligns with wider efforts to personalize medicine, ensuring every woman receives care tailored to her reproductive and vascular history.
Looking Ahead
While the grant kickstarts a pivotal phase, the journey toward fully integrating menopause-focused cardiovascular prevention into everyday practice will require ongoing collaboration, replication of results, and continued investment. The SHE-HEALS trial represents a bold step toward a future in which menopause is not merely a natural transition but a window of opportunity for preserving long-term heart health.
