Evaluation of My Intelligent Cardiac Assistant digital health intervention in Primary Cardiovascular Disease Prevention - MiCardiac
Project Lead
Professor Clara Chow, University of Sydney
Project Team
A/Prof Liliana Laranjo, University of Sydney; Dr Edel O’Hagan, University of Sydney; Dr Lyle McMahon, University of Sydney; Dr Marius Mather, University of Sydney
Project Summary
Problem
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, yet the implementation of effective prevention strategies is inadequate. Traditional public health approaches often fail to provide the personalised support necessary for optimal prevention outcomes, leaving many individuals at risk.
Solution
The My Intelligent Cardiac Assistant (MICArdiac) project seeks to enhance primary CVD prevention through a digital health intervention. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), MICArdiac aims to develop a personalised application to manage CVD risk factors. This study builds on successful mobile health (mHealth) interventions, integrating a smartphone app, fitness tracker, and wireless blood pressure monitor to deliver AI-optimised messages for improved lifestyle and clinical outcomes.
Impact
The MICArdiac intervention has the potential to significantly reduce the burden of CVD by improving risk factor management in a cost-effective manner. The project involves a randomised clinical trial with 560 participants aged 35 or older, who have documented hypertension and high cholesterol. Participants will be assigned to either the MICArdiac intervention or a control group receiving standard text-message education. Key outcomes include changes in LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI, physical activity, diet, and smoking cessation. The intervention's scalability ensures it can be widely implemented, offering a sustainable solution to primary CVD prevention.
The project collaborates with established partners like the Heart Foundation and local health districts, ensuring robust support for implementation and dissemination. The MICArdiac program was co-designed with input from researchers, clinicians, and consumers, ensuring it meets the needs of its users. A trial Steering Committee, including consumer representatives, will oversee the study. The results will be shared through peer-reviewed publications, international conferences, and stakeholder briefings, potentially transforming preventative cardiovascular care on a national and international scale.
