A new study published by the American Heart Association indicates a disheartening finding: the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in women is projected to increase significantly by the year 2050. Specifically, the study estimates that for adult women, the prevalence of hypertension will likely increase from 48.6% in 2020 to 59.1% by 2050; the prevalence of diabetes will increase from 14.9% to 25.3%, and obesity will rise from 43.9% to 61.2%, an all time-high. The study also estimates that “Prevalences of coronary disease (6.85% to 8.21%), heart failure (2.45% to 3.60%), stroke (4.14% to 6.74%), atrial fibrillation (1.58% to 2.31%), and total cardiovascular disease and stroke (10.7% to 14.4%) will rise.”
All of this data paints a grim picture for the future of women’s health. According to the CDC, cardiovascular and heart disease is already the leading cause of death for women in the United States, with over 60 million women in the country estimated to be living with some form of heart or vascular condition. In 2023, these conditions were responsible for 1 in every 5 female deaths, accounting for nearly 304,000 lives.
Cardiovascular and heart disease are terms that refer to a variety of conditions and disease states, such as: coronary artery disease, caused by increased plaque in blood vessels; arrhythmias, or heart conduction abnormalities; and heart failure, which causes a weakening of the heart’s ability to pump blood to the body. These are just a few examples; in reality, there are many forms of disease that can impact the cardiovascular system and often, disease conditions emerge as a wide variety of symptoms or manifestations, across a spectrum of pathology.
Interestingly, heart and cardiovascular disease (CVD) remain among the most prevalent causes of death across all age groups and sexes, worldwide. This has become especially true over the last 3 decades, due to a variety of reasons. For one, rates of metabolic syndrome, which is an independent risk factor for CVD, have skyrocketed. Metabolic syndrome includes high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and hyperlipidemia. Many of these changes in population health have emerged due to environmental stressors, such as an increased reliance on ultra-processed foods, poorer diets and more sedentary lifestyles, an overall decreasing prevalence of cardio-heavy exercise across the population, and an increased stress quotient worldwide. In fact, a Gallup poll found that the “world [is] unhappier and more stressed out than ever,” with respondents indicating record high levels of stress, sadness and worry and decreasing levels of rest. These act as direct negative agents on the human body and cause an increased risk of not only CV disease, but other inflammatory and chronic disease conditions.
Fortunately, it isn’t too late. The conversation around health and wellness has finally become mainstream over the last decade. In fact, a McKinsey study indicates that many younger workers are now more concerned with wellness and health than ever before, indicating a positive trend for the decades ahead. Furthermore, funding is constantly being invested for research on new medications and lifestyle modifications. Finally, awareness is rising, as people are realizing that they have to start positive health interventions and habit modifications early in order to preserve better health outcomes in later decades.
