Nearly 60% of women in the United States are projected to have some form of cardiovascular disease by 2050, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association published in Circulation. The statement, titled "Forecasting the Burden of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in the United States Through 2050 in Women," builds on prior work to assess future prevalence and economic burden, estimating current annual costs at least $200 billion for over 62 million women living with cardiovascular conditions. The projections indicate sharp increases across all types of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and stroke.
Underlying this trend are expected surges in major health factors: nearly 60% of women will have high blood pressure, more than 25% will have diabetes, and over 60% will have obesity by 2050. These figures represent significant jumps from current levels. "One in every three women will die from cardiovascular disease," said Dr. Karen E. Joynt Maddox, chair of the statement writing group, emphasizing the personal impact of these statistics. Particularly alarming is the projected rise among younger women and girls. By 2025, nearly a third of women aged 22-44 will have cardiovascular disease, compared to less than one in four currently. Diabetes rates in this age group are expected to more than double. Furthermore, nearly 32% of girls aged 2-19 may have obesity by 2050, driven by inadequate physical activity and poor diets.
"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 Dr. Stacey E. Rosen, volunteer president of the American Heart Association. The report highlights significant disparities, with projections indicating the largest increases among women identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, Hispanic or multiracial. For instance, more than 70% of Black women are projected to have high blood pressure by 2050. "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 calls for programs tailored for Black women and interventions that address social challenges combined with medical risks.
Despite the concerning projections, the report outlines a path forward through prevention and management. The American Heart Association promotes optimal cardiovascular health through its Life’s Essential 8™ metrics, which include health behaviors and factors. "We know that as much as 80% of heart disease and stroke can be prevented," Rosen stated. The statement provides specific considerations across health behaviors, health factor management, clinical care, and care across life stages. It suggests that a 10% reduction in key health factors and a 20% improvement in their control could reduce cardiovascular events and deaths by 17% to 23%.
Joynt Maddox, who also authored a related 2024 presidential advisory, emphasized that current prevention efforts are inadequate. "The most efficient, effective, and least costly way to reduce the prevalence and impact of cardiovascular disease is through prevention," she said. The report advocates for promoting healthy choices in community settings, using digital tools, prioritizing long-term support for chronic condition management, and ensuring equitable, high-quality treatment through programs like the Association's Get With The Guidelines®. "These projections emphasize how critical it is that we start focusing on how to help all people stay healthy," Joynt Maddox concluded.
