JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death globally. Individuals with lower income or experiencing financial hardship face a significantly higher risk of developing CVD. However, there is a lack of in-depth insight into their experiences with CVD, and specific attention to women is essential.

Objective:

The ‘In a Heartbeat’ study aims to understand the relationship between CVD and financial hardship and to enable earlier recognition and prevention of CVD among both women and men. In this study protocol we describe our citizen science study in which we unravel the mechanisms and contexts by which financial problems lead to the development and recognition of CVD.

Methods:

The main data for this study are collected by citizen scientists through qualitative lifeline interviews. All citizen scientists have (had) experience with financial hardship and some also with CVD. We hold weekly project team meetings with citizen scientists and professional scientists in which we employ methods such as photo elicitation, Critical-Creative Hermeneutical analysis, Design Thinking, a dynamic learning agenda, and regular individual and group evaluations of the citizen science process.

Results:

The study was funded in October 2024 and started in January 2025. Data collection started in November 2025 and is expected to end halfway through 2026.

Conclusions:

Towards the end of the study in 2027, we develop and disseminate concrete recommendations for various stakeholders to prevent CVD and recognize CVD earlier among people having difficulty making ends meet. In all our analyses and recommendations, we consider sex and gender differences. Our study could potentially contribute to a reduction in health inequalities.