Nearly six in 10 US women are projected to have cardiovascular disease by 2050, driven largely by rising rates of high blood pressure, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement.
Cardiovascular disease refers to conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, including heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, which is an irregular heartbeat, and stroke.
The projected increase over the next 25 years is linked to growing rates of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.
Karen E. Joynt Maddox is professor of medicine and public health at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and chair of the statement writing group.
She said: “One in every three women will die from cardiovascular disease, maybe it’s your grandmother, or your mother or your daughter.
“Additionally, more than 62 million women in the US are living with some type of cardiovascular disease and that comes with a price tag of at least US$200 billion, annually.
“Our estimates indicate that if we stay on the current path, these numbers will grow substantially over the next 25 to 30 years.”
More than 62m women in the US are currently living with some form of cardiovascular disease, at an estimated annual cost of at least US$200bn.
The statement found that by 2050 nearly 60 per cent of women are expected to have high blood pressure, up from about five in 10 previously reported for 2020.
More than 25 per cent are projected to have diabetes, compared with about 15 per cent now, and more than 60 per cent are expected to have obesity, up from about 44 per cent.
The trend is also projected to affect younger women and girls.
By 2050, nearly one in three women aged 22 to 44 are expected to have some form of cardiovascular disease, compared with less than one in four currently.
Diabetes in this age group is projected to rise from 6 per cent to nearly 16 per cent.
More than a third of women aged 22 to 44 are expected to have high blood pressure, and more than one in six are projected to have obesity.
Among girls aged two to 19, close to 32 per cent are projected to have obesity, an increase of more than 12 per cent.
Rates are expected to be higher among Black girls, with around 40 per cent projected to have obesity by 2050.
Among women of colour, some of the largest increases are forecast.
High blood pressure is projected to rise most among Hispanic women, by more than 15 per cent. Obesity is expected to increase most among Asian women, by nearly 26 per cent.
Rates of cardiovascular risk factors are projected to remain highest among Black women, with more than 70 per cent expected to have high blood pressure, more than 71 per cent to have obesity and nearly 28 per cent to have diabetes.
Stacey E. Rosen is volunteer president of the American Heart Association and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health at Northwell Health in New York City.
She said: “Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women and remains their #1 health risk overall.
“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.”
The statement noted that not all projections were negative.
Rates of high cholesterol are expected to decline among most groups of women, and improvements are anticipated in behaviours such as healthier eating, increased physical activity and reduced smoking.
Previous simulation studies identified potential ways to reverse current trends.
A 10 per cent reduction in risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity, combined with a 20 per cent improvement in controlling blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, could reduce cardiovascular and stroke events, including deaths, by 17 to 23 per cent.
Cutting obesity by half and doubling risk factor control could reduce events and deaths by 30 to 40 per cent.
Maddox said: “Society has come so far in medical advancements, but the same can’t be said for innovation and progress around cardiovascular health, wellness and prevention.
“These projections emphasise how critical it is that we start focusing on how to help all people stay healthy.
“In this new era of digital health, artificial intelligence and new metabolic medication options, health care professionals increasingly have the tools to do this, but not yet the systems.”
Rosen added: “Every woman of every age should understand her risk of heart disease and stroke and be empowered to take action to reduce that risk.
“Know your numbers, listen to your body and be an advocate for your health. Additionally, support girls and women in your life to do the same.
“We can make a difference, we can be the difference.”
