Heart disease and stroke are an escalating threat to women and girls in the United States, with a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association projecting that 60% of U.S. women will have at least one type of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 2050. Published in Circulation, the association's flagship journal, the report attributes this rise to increasing rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, which are affecting even younger generations. Nearly 32% of girls ages 2 to 19 may have obesity by 2050, indicating that the foundation for future CVD is being laid early in life.
The findings highlight increases across all types of CVD, including heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke. According to Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health at Northwell Health, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for women. She emphasized that risk factors like high blood pressure are not confined to older women, and that social determinants of health, such as poverty, low literacy, and rural residence, amplify these risks. Identifying these trends, she said, is critical to making meaningful changes.
Despite the concerning projections, there is positive news. Rates of high cholesterol are expected to decline among nearly all groups of women, and improvements in health behaviors—including healthier eating, more physical activity, and less smoking—are anticipated. The report underscores that the most effective way to reduce CVD prevalence is through prevention, focusing on 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).
To promote these behaviors, the statement recommends creating environments that encourage healthy choices in schools, community centers, pediatric clinics, and gynecology offices. Digital tools can help reinforce positive lifestyle changes. For health factors, early management of chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity is crucial, particularly for women at higher risk. The report advises working with healthcare teams to prioritize long-term support, including early check-ins, team-based care, and accessible digital tools.
Care at every life stage offers opportunities to spot risks early. For instance, pediatricians should recognize that early menstrual periods can signal higher future cardiovascular risk. Coordinated care across specialties should be integrated before, during, and after pregnancy. Research should continue exploring how lifestyle changes and hormone therapy around menopause impact heart health. Additionally, health systems must address social challenges—such as access to healthy food, transportation, and safe housing—by designing interventions that improve heart health in each setting.
For more information, visit the American Heart Association's website at Heart.org.
