(Feature Impact) The threat of heart disease and stroke is growing substantially among women and girls as rates climb for health factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, with 6 in 10 U.S. women projected to have at least one type of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 2050.
This information from a new scientific statement published in “Circulation,” the peer-reviewed, flagship journal of the American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all, points to a rise in CVD that’s in part fueled by increases in other health factors like diabetes and obesity. Nearly 32% of girls ages 2-19 may have obesity by 2050, highlighting the impact even on younger generations.
Findings from the report point to increases among women for all types of CVD, including heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and stroke.
“Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women and remains their No. 1 health risk overall,” said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health and senior vice president of women’s health at Northwell Health. “While many people may think conditions like high blood pressure are only occurring in older women, we know this is not the case. We know the factors that contribute to heart disease and stroke begin early in life, even among young women and girls. The impact is even greater among those experiencing adverse social determinants of health such as poverty, low literacy, rural residence and other psychosocial stressors. Identifying the types of trends outlined in this report is critical to making meaningful changes that can reverse this course.”
However, there is positive news: Rates of high cholesterol are expected to decline among nearly all groups of women, and improvements are expected in some health behaviors that impact CVD, including healthier eating, more physical activity and less smoking.
The most efficient and effective way to reduce the prevalence of CVD is through prevention, prioritizing optimal health through the four health behaviors (eat better, be more active, quit tobacco and get healthy sleep) and four health factors (manage weight, control cholesterol, manage blood sugar and manage blood pressure) that comprise the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8.
Health Behaviors
Promote healthy choices in the places where people learn, live and receive care, like schools, community centers, pediatric clinics and gynecology offices. Use digital tools, when helpful, to encourage and reinforce positive lifestyle changes.
Health Factors
Managing chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity early can make a difference, especially for women at higher risk. Work with your health care team to prioritize long-term support for managing these conditions, including early check-ins, team-based care and the use of digital tools that make care easier to access.
Care at Every Life Stage
Each stage of life offers an opportunity to spot risks early and protect heart health. For example, pediatricians should know that early menstrual periods can signal higher future cardiovascular risk. Coordinated care across specialties should be integrated before, during and after pregnancy. Research should continue to explore how lifestyle changes and hormone therapy around menopause impact women’s heart health.
Social and Demographic Factors
Health systems should consider how social challenges – like access to healthy food, transportation or safe housing – combine with medical risks, designing interventions that improve heart health in each setting.
To access the full report and find more advice for a healthy heart, visit Heart.org.
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