A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published in the journal Circulation, projects that 6 in 10 U.S. women will have at least one type of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 2050. The rise is fueled by increasing rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, with nearly 32% of girls aged 2-19 expected to have obesity by 2050. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for women, and the findings highlight the need for early prevention and management of risk factors.
“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. “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.”
Despite the alarming trends, there is positive news: rates of high cholesterol are expected to decline among nearly all groups of women, and improvements are anticipated in health behaviors such as healthier eating, more physical activity, and less smoking. The American Heart Association emphasizes prevention through its Life’s Essential 8, which includes four health behaviors (eat better, be more active, quit tobacco, get healthy sleep) and four health factors (manage weight, control cholesterol, manage blood sugar, manage blood pressure).
Health behaviors can be promoted in places where people learn, live, and receive care, such as schools, community centers, and clinics. Digital tools may help encourage positive lifestyle changes. Managing chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity early can make a difference, especially for women at higher risk. Coordinated care across specialties should be integrated before, during, and after pregnancy, and research should continue on how lifestyle changes and hormone therapy around menopause impact heart health.
Social and demographic factors also play a role. Health systems should consider challenges like access to healthy food, transportation, or safe housing when designing interventions. “Identifying the types of trends outlined in this report is critical to making meaningful changes that can reverse this course,” Rosen added. The full report is available at Heart.org.
