Heart Disease in Women: New Projections & Risk Factors | AHA Report
Nearly 6 in 10 women in the United States are projected to have some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by , according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA), published on .
The projections, detailed in the statement appearing in the journal Circulation, indicate a significant rise in the prevalence of CVD among women, encompassing conditions like heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke. Currently, approximately 5 in 10 women have high blood pressure; this is expected to climb to nearly 6 in 10 by mid-century. This increase isn’t limited to older women, with projections showing that nearly one-third of women aged 22-44 will have some type of cardiovascular disease, a notable increase from the current rate of less than one in four.
The anticipated surge in CVD is linked to increasing rates of key contributing factors, including high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. Alarmingly, these trends are also emerging among younger girls, aged 2-19, with projections indicating that nearly 32% may be obese by .
The AHA statement highlights that these increases will disproportionately affect certain populations. Women identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, Hispanic, or multiracial are expected to experience even more pronounced increases in cardiovascular disease risk.
“Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women and remains their #1 health risk ” said Dr. Stacey E. Rosen, volunteer president of the AHA and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health at Northwell Health in New York City. “While many people may think these 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.”
Despite the concerning projections, the AHA statement also notes some positive trends. Rates of high cholesterol are expected to decline across nearly all groups of women. Improvements are anticipated in health behaviors that impact CVD, including healthier eating habits, increased physical activity, and a reduction in smoking.
The AHA emphasizes a holistic approach to cardiovascular health, defined by its Life’s Essential 8™. This framework encompasses four health behaviors – adopting a healthier diet, increasing physical activity, quitting tobacco use, and prioritizing healthy sleep – and four health factors – managing weight, controlling cholesterol, managing blood sugar, and managing blood pressure.
Cardiovascular disease manifests in various forms. Coronary heart disease, where plaque builds up in the arteries, is the most common. Other conditions included in the projections are heart failure, where the heart struggles to effectively pump blood, atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat, and stroke, which occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted.
The AHA’s scientific statement serves as a “call to action,” urging a reevaluation of current prevention and early detection strategies. While advancements in treatment have been made, the organization stresses the importance of proactive measures to mitigate the projected rise in CVD among women. The statement builds upon previous AHA assessments to forecast the future prevalence of cardiovascular disease and its associated economic burden.
The projections are based on historical data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2015 to 2020, which collects information on the health and dietary habits of adults and children, combined with census estimates of population growth. This data allows for a comprehensive assessment of current trends and their potential impact on the future health of women in the United States.