EXIT-CVD is a five-year European programme exploring earlier detection, personalised monitoring and targeted treatment to interrupt the progression of cardiovascular disease. Two studies focus on under-recognised aspects of women’s cardiovascular health: EMPOWER-BP investigates spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and angina/ischaemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (ANOCA); COMPASS examines hypertension during and after pregnancy. Both explore participant-centred monitoring beyond the clinic, where periodic appointments can miss meaningful changes in risk, symptoms and recovery. The wider programme aims to strengthen early identification and management of cardiovascular disease.

Objectives

EMPOWER-BP is a 12-month observational, citizen-science study involving 100 women. It assesses the feasibility and acceptability of wearable blood pressure monitoring, adherence, associations between blood pressure fluctuations and symptoms, and participant experiences through repeated questionnaires and virtual follow-up. COMPASS evaluates remote postpartum blood pressure monitoring with clinician-guided antihypertensive medication adjustments, assessing feasibility, engagement, adherence, patient-reported outcomes, clinical events and cost-effectiveness. Both seek evidence for integrating remote monitoring into cardiovascular care. The broader EXIT-CVD programme combines clinical research, digital technologies and patient-centred treatment strategies.

Challenge

Occasional clinic or home measurements miss everyday blood pressure variation. Limited longitudinal data complicate symptom interpretation in SCAD/ANOCA, while relatively uncommon conditions can make recruitment difficult. After childbirth, blood pressure changes and newborn-care demands make regular follow-up challenging. Both studies must sustain participation, integrate devices, transfer and secure sensitive data, and address accessibility and inequalities associated with gender and socioeconomic circumstances. It is particularly important to support women who have been underrepresented in cardiovascular research and those facing barriers to digital participation.

Solution

Consortium partner Onsentia provides managed remote-monitoring infrastructure incorporating RADAR-base. Huawei blood-pressure wearables connect via the Huawei Health SDK and RADAR-base to generate longitudinal datasets. In EMPOWER-BP, recruitment and engagement draw on patient communities, online networks and Stichting VrouwenHart; participants provide wearable measurements, electronic reports and structured follow-ups. In COMPASS, RADAR-base supports wearable data collection alongside the Megi digital health platform, with clinicians overseeing medication adjustments. Patient involvement informs study design, while the platform supports the secure collection, management and analysis of wearable-derived measurements collected in participants’ everyday environments.

Impact

The studies could establish the practicality of long-term wearable monitoring, clarify symptom–blood pressure relationships and barriers to engagement, and inform citizen-science recruitment. COMPASS may improve understanding of digitally supported postpartum treatment, while both could underpin more accessible, personalised cardiovascular monitoring. The findings may also clarify how connected measurements complement rather than replace conventional clinical assessments.