Participants
What is a cohort study?
A cohort study involves following a group of people over time to observe changes in their health and identify factors associated with certain outcomes.
The objective of this cohort is to study, within the general population, the early determinants of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. Having a large and representative group is essential to ensure that the results reflect the reality of the population and can help improve prevention on a population-wide scale.
SwissCardIA is an observational study: it involves collecting and analyzing information without altering the participants’ medical care, which remains the responsibility of their family physicians.
Who are the participants?
SwissCardIA study participants must meet the following criteria:
- Be between 50 and 69 years old
- Have lived in the canton of Vaud or Geneva for at least 6 months
- Speak sufficient French or English
Who is not eligible to participate?
People who meet one or several of the following exclusion criteria are not eligible to participate in the SwissCardIA study:
- Having a history of cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke, heart failure, etc.)
- Currently experiencing cardiac symptoms (chest pain, shortness of breath, etc.)
- Taking or having taken cholesterol-lowering medications (such as statins)
- Having severe kidney disease or diabetes with significant complications
- Having a serious medical condition that prevents participation (e.g., significant cognitive impairment)
- Being pregnant or breastfeeding
- Being allergic to the contrast agent used for the CT scan
- Having had a cardiac CT scan recently (within the past year)
- Already participating in another similar study (such as the Lausanne-based CoLaus|PsyCoLaus study)
- Planning to leave Switzerland in the near future
Furthermore, study procedures such as blood tests and CT scans may reveal information that is clinically relevant for the participant’s health. When this is the case, the study team is obliged to disclose it. People who do not wish to be informed of such results are therefore not eligible to participate.
Recruitment method
Participants are selected through random sampling from the population registers of the cantons of Vaud and Geneva.
Individuals selected in this way receive an invitation letter describing the study and what participation involves. Those who are interested and meet the eligibility criteria can then contact the research team.
This recruitment approach helps reduce selection bias, for example by avoiding the over-representation of people who are already particularly health-conscious. It also supports a more representative sample of the target population, including people living in different settings, from urban to more rural areas.
Why participate?
By participating in SwissCardIA, you contribute to a better understanding of the factors that shape cardiovascular risk and to the development of more effective prevention strategies for the general population.
The participation of selected individuals, regardless of their current health status or lifestyle, is essential to ensure that the study reflects the diversity of the population and produces robust, meaningful results.
SwissCardIA is a research study, not a screening programme, and participation is not intended to provide a comprehensive individual health assessment. However, selected results, including certain findings from blood tests and CT imaging, may be communicated to participants for information within a predefined framework.