Women’s Cardiovascular Health and Risk Factors
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among women globally, surpassing all forms of cancer combined. Despite this alarming fact, women's cardiovascular health has historically been under-researched, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. This disparity is largely due to gender biases in medical research, differences in symptom presentation, and a widespread misconception that heart disease is primarily a male condition. Women often exhibit different signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease compared to men. While men typically present with classic chest pain, women may experience more subtle symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, jaw pain, or back pain, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, conditions unique to women—such as pregnancy-related disorders (e.g., preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and hypertension), early menopause, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) significantly increase the lifetime risk of developing heart disease. Hormonal fluctuations, especially the decline in estrogen during menopause, can negatively impact vascular function and lipid profiles, further elevating risk. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and high cholesterol affect both men and women.