High blood pressure, obesity and diabetes increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, even at younger than normal ages for such conditions. Women are the most affected, according to a study by the American Heart Association.
Worrying predictions until 2050
The American Heart Association report shows that if trends don’t change, by 2050, the proportion of women in the United States with high blood pressure (hypertension) could reach nearly 60 percent, compared to less than 50 percent today. And diabetes could affect more than 25% of women (compared to about 15% today). The obesity rate is also expected to rise alarmingly: from 19.6% to 32%.
“This predisposes a whole generation of girls and young women to develop cardiovascular disease at a much younger age”says Dr. Karen Joynt Maddox, a cardiologist and president of the group that wrote the scientific paper, quoted by NBC News.
Among adult women, it is estimated that the rate of cardiovascular disease will increase as follows:
- From 6.9% in 2020 to 8.2% in 2050 for coronary heart disease.
- 2.5% to 3.6% for heart failure.
- From 4.1% to 6.7% for stroke.
- 1.6% to 2.3% for atrial fibrillation.
Young women are not exempt from risks. Projections show that nearly a third of women aged 22 to 44 may already have some form of cardiovascular disease by 2050, up from less than 25% today.
What can women do?
The authors of the scientific paper call it “a call to action.” There are major advances in treatments that can save lives, but studies like this represent an opportunity to improve prevention and early detection, said Dr. Stacey Rosen, volunteer president of the American Heart Association
Health experts recommend the following preventive measures:
- Regular blood pressure, blood sugar and weight checks.
- Adopting healthy lifestyle habits (balanced diet, regular physical activity, stress management).
- Risk awareness and discussions with your doctor about cardiac screening, especially at younger ages.
Although the overall estimates are worrisome, there are also some positive trends: for example, high levels of “bad” cholesterol are expected to decrease in the near future in many women, which may partially ameliorate heart risk.
