Research Goes Red Results

Reproductive Experiences and Cardiovascular Disease Care in Pregnancy-Capable and Postmenopausal Individuals: Insights from the American Heart Association Research Goes Red Registry
There is an urgent, ongoing need for more education on APOs and CVD risk. When they analyzed the data (the participant number is much larger now from when they first started this) – they found that in the postmenopausal group, 37% were unaware that APOs were associated with long-term CVD risk.

Research Goes Red: Early Experience with a Participant-Centric Registry
Research Goes Red is an online participant-centric platform that has successfully engaged women and provided critical data on women’s heart health to guide research.

Association of Prior Stroke with Health Care Perceptions of Adequate Emergency Care in Women
Women with a history of stroke represent a vulnerable patient population due to their extant disability, morbidity, and risk of recurrence. The association between prior stroke with patient experience and perception of emergency medical care is unknown. The study found that women patients with a stroke history felt less likely to receive adequate emergency care based on gender and race/ethnicity.

Disparities in awareness and treatment among women with hypertension
Prior research has demonstrated declining rates of blood pressure (BP) control nationally among women, and significant racial and ethnic disparities in both hypertension prevalence and outcomes among U.S. women. However, national-level data on attitudes and awareness of women with hypertension are limited. Data was analyzed from participants with self-reported hypertension enrolled in Research Goes Red. The top health concerns reported among women with hypertension were weight, healthcare access and costs, and hypertension. Health concerns varied significantly by age, race, and ethnicity; younger women and Black and Hispanic women were more likely to report

Toxic stress is associated with cardiovascular disease among younger but not older women in the United States
Psychosocial stress may be an under-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease among younger women (ages 35-54 years). Data was obtained from the Research Goes Red and included women from the United States who self-reported diagnoses of cardiovascular disease and experiences of toxic stress. Toxic stress was associated with an increased odds of cardiovascular disease among younger, but not older women in this cross-sectional study.

Design and rationale of the social determinants of the risk of hypertension in women of reproductive age (SAFE HEART) study
Cardiovascular health literacy and social determinants of health play interconnected and critical roles in shaping cardiovascular health outcomes. However, awareness of cardiovascular health risk has declined markedly. This study leveraged the Research Goes Red platform to engage Black and Hispanic women of reproductive age, to address cardiovascular health literacy gaps and advance health equity.

Association between polysocial risk score and CVH among women of reproductive age in the SAFE HEART study
To assess the association between polysocial risk factors and cardiovascular health among women of reproductive age this study did a cross-sectional analysis that included women of reproductive age (18-44 years) from community settings and Research Goes Red. The study found that women with higher social risks face greater odds of suboptimal cardiovascular health. The study found that screening for social determinants and tailored public health interventions are essential for mitigating cardiovascular health risks in this population.

A Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Predicts Better Sleep Quality in US Women
Consumption of a Mediterranean diet has been linked to better sleep health in older, European populations. However, whether this dietary pattern is predictive of sleep quality in US women, a group prone to poor sleep, is unknown. This prospective cohort study of 432 US women (20-76 y; 60% racial/ethnic minority) evaluated whether compliance with a Mediterranean diet at baseline predicted sleep quality at a one year follow-up.

Awareness of heart failure, blood pressure management and self-efficacy
Heart failure is increasing in the United States, and awareness is needed for prevention. Hypertension is the leading cause of heart failure, and adherence to antihypertensive medication is critical for reducing the risk. Self-efficacy positively influences health-promoting behaviors. Data was leveraged from Research Goes Red participants and three surveys ascertained heart failure awareness, blood pressure management, and self-efficacy. The study found that women's awareness of heart failure and adherence to antihypertensive medication in this cohort was high. Depression and younger age may be important factors affecting women's heart failure awareness and confidence in managing chronic disease medication plans.

Association of Sleep Characteristics with Cardiovascular Health among Women and Differences by Race/Ethnicity and Menopausal Status
The objective of this study by the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Strategically Focused Research Network was to evaluate the association of sleep with cardiovascular health in women and examine differences by menopausal status and race/ethnicity. The study found that better sleep habits were associated with more favorable cardiovascular health among women, suggesting that there may be benefit in incorporating sleep assessment into cardiovascular disease risk screening.