Rising Cardiovascular Disease Threatens U.S. Women, New Report Warns

A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published in the journal Circulation, warns that the threat of heart disease and stroke is growing substantially among women and girls. The report projects that 6 in 10 U.S. women will have at least one type of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 2050, fueled by rising rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Nearly 32% of girls ages 2-19 may have obesity by 2050, highlighting the impact on younger generations. Findings 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.” Rosen emphasized that 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,” she said.

Despite the grim projections, 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.

The report calls for promoting healthy choices in places where people learn, live and receive care, such as schools, community centers, pediatric clinics and gynecology offices, and encourages the use of digital tools to reinforce positive lifestyle changes. Managing chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity early can make a difference, especially for women at higher risk. Working with a health care team to prioritize long-term support, including early check-ins, team-based care and digital tools that make care easier to access, is recommended.

Each life stage 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. Health systems should also 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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