A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published in the journal Circulation, projects that by 2050, 6 in 10 U.S. women will have at least one type of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke. The alarming 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, according to the report.
“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. “While many people may think conditions like high blood pressure are only occurring in older women, we know this is not the case. The factors that contribute to heart disease and stroke begin early in life, even among young women and girls.” Rosen emphasized the disproportionate impact on women experiencing adverse social determinants of health, such as poverty, low literacy, rural residence, and psychosocial stressors.
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 anticipated in health behaviors like healthier eating, more physical activity, and less smoking. The statement highlights that the most effective way to reduce CVD prevalence is through prevention, prioritizing the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8—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).
The statement calls for promoting healthy choices in places where people learn, live, and receive care, such as schools, community centers, pediatric clinics, and gynecology offices. Digital tools can help encourage and reinforce positive lifestyle changes. Managing chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity early is crucial, especially for women at higher risk. Coordinated care across specialties should be integrated before, during, and after pregnancy, and research should explore how lifestyle changes and hormone therapy around menopause impact heart health.
Health systems must address social challenges—such as access to healthy food, transportation, and safe housing—that combine with medical risks. “Identifying the types of trends outlined in this report is critical to making meaningful changes that can reverse this course,” Rosen added. For more information, visit Heart.org.
