Nearly 6 in 10 women in the United States are projected to have some type of cardiovascular disease by 2050, according to a new scientific statement published in Circulation, the flagship journal of the American Heart Association. The statement, titled "Forecasting the Burden of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in the United States Through 2050 in Women," builds upon prior work by the Association and indicates a sharp rise from current prevalence, driven largely by increases in high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
The projections are particularly concerning for younger women and girls. By 2025, nearly a third of all women aged 22-44 will have some type of cardiovascular disease, compared to less than one in four currently. Diabetes rates for this age group are expected to more than double, from 6% to nearly 16%. The trend extends to girls aged 2-19, with nearly 32% projected to have obesity by 2050, an increase of more than 12%. "This trend in increased health risks among girls and young women is particularly disturbing, as it indicates they will be facing chronic health issues for most of their lives," said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association.
The increases are most pronounced among women and girls identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, Hispanic, or multiracial. By 2050, more than 70% of Black women are projected to have high blood pressure, more than 71% will have obesity, and nearly 28% will have diabetes. High blood pressure will increase the most among Hispanic women, up by more than 15%, while obesity will increase the most among Asian women, up by nearly 26%. "The impact is even greater among those experiencing adverse social determinants of health such as poverty, low literacy, rural residence and other psychosocial stressors," Rosen noted.
The statement outlines a multi-faceted call to action to reverse these trends. Prevention is emphasized as the most efficient and effective approach. Recommendations include promoting healthy choices in schools and clinics, using digital tools to encourage lifestyle changes, and prioritizing long-term management of chronic conditions. For clinical care, the statement calls for optimal treatment for women experiencing cardiovascular events, referencing quality improvement programs like the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines®. It also stresses the need for care tailored to different life stages, from childhood through menopause.
Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, chair of the statement writing group, highlighted that simulation studies show these projections are not inevitable. A 10% reduction in key health factors and a 20% improvement in their control could reduce cardiovascular disease and stroke events by 17% to 23%. Reducing obesity by half and doubling risk factor control could reduce events by 30% to 40%. The American Heart Association defines optimal health through its Life’s Essential 8™ metrics, which include health behaviors and factors. "We need to keep girls and women from developing cardiovascular risk factors so that they can live long, healthy lives free of cardiovascular disease," Joynt Maddox said.
The financial burden is substantial, with current costs exceeding $200 billion annually for the more than 62 million U.S. women living with cardiovascular disease. These costs are expected to grow substantially if current trends continue. Despite medical advancements in treating events like heart attacks, the report indicates inadequate progress in prevention, especially for women of color and younger women. At a time when awareness about cardiovascular disease among women has been declining, the authors stress that these projections should serve as a critical wake-up call for systemic change focused on health, wellness, and prevention across the life course.
