Research Excellence
At the P.O.W.E.R. Women’s Health Prevention Centre, research is more than data: it’s a tool for justice.
The research team leads groundbreaking, community-embedded studies that centre the lived experiences of women from racialized, ethnic, and remote communities. From uncovering hidden mechanisms of heart disease to challenging gender bias in clinical science, our research pushes the boundaries of what inclusive, impactful health research can be.
STRESS-CVD: The Impact of Stress on Heart Health
The STRESS-CVD study investigates the effects of psychological distress—such as chronic stress, depression, anxiety, anger, etc.—on women’s cardiovascular health. Combining advanced cardiac MRI techniques with validated psychological distress questionnaires, this study explores how emotional and psychosocial stressors contribute to subtle but meaningful changes in heart structure and function, specifically the role of stress in myocardial inflammation and microvascular dysfunction.
By revealing the biological impact of stress on the heart, this work bridges mental and cardiovascular health, aiming to enhance early detection and promote more comprehensive, sex- and gender-sensitive strategies for prevention and care.
If you have any questions about the study, please contact Kristina Cunanan at maria.k.cunanan@mail.mcgill.ca
MINOCA-OS: Uncovering Hidden Causes of Heart Attacks in Women
The MINOCA-OS project focuses on women who experience heart attacks without significant blockages in their coronary arteries—a condition known as Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA). Often misunderstood and underdiagnosed, MINOCA disproportionately affects women and calls for a sex-specific lens on diagnosis and treatment.
This study combines advanced cardiac MRI with non-invasive vascular assessments—including oxygenation-sensitive imaging and applanation tonometry—to detect hidden contributors such as coronary microvascular dysfunction. By identifying subtle yet impactful abnormalities in heart tissue and vessel function, MINOCA-OS aims to improve diagnostic precision, inform targeted treatments, and close the gender gap in cardiovascular care.
If you have any questions about the study, please contact Jessica Patone at jessica.patone@mail.mcgill.ca
Uncovering the Impact of Sex and Gender on Microvascular Function
Women have long been underrepresented in cardiovascular research, and few studies report sex-specific findings. As a result, diagnostic tools often rely on male-derived data, risking misdiagnosis and poorer outcomes for women. This one-size-fits-all approach overlooks key sex differences—especially in conditions like coronary microvascular dysfunction, which disproportionately affects women and is linked to dementia, heart failure, and pregnancy complications.
Despite its significance, microvascular dysfunction remains hard to detect with current imaging tools, which are often invasive or lack precision. Our research addresses this gap using oxygenation-sensitive cardiac MRI, a non-invasive method that assesses microvascular function through simple breathing maneuvers—no contrast or injections needed. This offers a unique window into early, subclinical changes in vascular health.
If you have any questions about the study, please contact Kate Lindsay at katherine.lindsay@mail.mcgill.ca