Research project How can we prevent cardiovascular disease earlier, more effective and at the same time reach more of the population? In the PRIMVIZA project, we are co-developing a new way to visualize early signs of atherosclerosis using ultrasound in a primary care setting — improving cardiovascular disease risk communication and enabling timely prevention.
PRIMVIZA develops methods for image-based feedback from vascular ultrasound to be implemented in primary care to enhance conversations about cardiovascular risk. In collaboration with healthcare staff and patients, we develop methods to generate educational images of early signs of atherosclerosis specifically within the context of primary care. The goal is to communicate these images effectively to patients to increase understanding of personal risk and thereby support lifestyle changes that promotes cardiovascular health.
Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common causes of ill health and death in Sweden. Although much of this disease burden can be prevented through healthy lifestyle habits, it is often difficult to find sufficient motivation for change in everyday life. Previous research, in the VIPVIZA projectcarried out at Umeå University, has shown that visual feedback from ultrasound examinations of blood vessels can support conversations about cardiovascular risk and help people adopt healthier lifestyles. We now want to develop methods to make this approach usable in primary care.
The project is buildning on a methods of showing early signs of atherosclerosis using ultrasound images of the carotid arteries, specifically in a primary care setting. The goal is to create educational and easy-to-understand images that can be used in conversations between patients and healthcare professionals. These images reveal changes and risks that are otherwise invisible to the patient but, when made visible, can serve as a wake-up call to understand one's own risk—and what can be done about it.
A central part of PRIMVIZA is co-creation. By involving both healthcare staff and patients in the development process, we can ensure that the tools created are practically useful and perceived as meaningful by those who will use them, as well as those who will receive the messages. Together, we are developing ways to visualize risk and communicate it in ways that motivate positive lifestyle changes.
PRIMVIZA aims to develop new, effective, and user-friendly tools that can be implemented in primary care as part of routine preventive healthcare. By using technology in new ways and in new settings, we aim to support individuals’ understanding and motivation—and through this, contribute to more effective prevention of cardiovascular disease and, ultimately, improved public health.
For those who have previously participated in the NSHDS and have provided samples and/or data for research, more information on how personal data is processed in the research project is available here: Information for study participants.
