Lifestyle and Health Factors Pose Greater Cardiovascular Risks for Women Than Men, Study Finds
A recent study shared at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25) has stirred the waters in heart disease research. It reveals that lifestyle and health factors linked to heart disease impact women more than men. This challenges the old approach of treating everyone the same and highlights the importance of strategies catered to each sex.
Lifestyle Choices and Heart Wellness
Heart disease is a major cause of death globally, but the contributing factors can differ greatly between men and women. The study identified eight key lifestyle elements that affect heart health: diet, sleep patterns, physical activity, smoking habits, body mass index (BMI), blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure. While these are well-known influencers of heart health, the research shows their combined effect is greater in women.
Dr. Maneesh Sud, the study’s lead, remarks, “Our findings indicate that for the same level of health, the risk increase for each factor is higher in women than in men.” This suggests that a more individualized approach could be more successful in preventing heart disease.
Women Face Greater Risks
The study analyzed over 175,000 Canadian adults, with nearly 60% being women. Participants were grouped by their overall health scores as poor, intermediate, or ideal. Surprisingly, more women than men were rated as having ideal health. Specifically, 9.1% of women and 4.8% of men achieved perfect scores across all eight factors. Yet, women with negative risk factors saw a sharper rise in their risk for heart issues compared to men with similar health profiles.
Over an 11-year follow-up, researchers noted outcomes like heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths. Women in poor health were found to have almost five times the risk of heart disease compared to those in ideal health, whereas men in poor health had 2.5 times the risk compared to their healthier peers.
Biological and Social Influences
The difference in how lifestyle factors impact heart health between genders could stem from a mix of biological and social influences. Hormonal differences, especially those related to estrogen, significantly affect vascular function and may explain women’s heightened sensitivity to these risk factors. Additionally, societal roles and pressures unique to women, such as caregiving duties and career challenges, might further increase these risks.
The study highlights the necessity of considering gender-specific differences in heart disease prevention strategies. Dr. Sud points out, “Although women often have better health than men, the impact on outcomes is different. The combined effect of these factors is greater in women.”
Personalized Healthcare: The Way Forward
This research supports the idea of personalized healthcare, where treatment is based on individual traits like gender, genetics, and lifestyle. As knowledge of how different factors affect heart health grows, personalized methods could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies. Women, in particular, might benefit from targeted efforts addressing specific risk factors, such as stress management or nutrition advice.
Further research is essential to see if racial and ethnic differences affect these risk factors and how menopause may alter risk profiles for women. These insights could enhance screening processes and preventive measures, making them more effective for diverse groups.
A New Direction for Heart Health
The study’s findings encourage healthcare professionals to adopt more nuanced heart disease prevention methods. Recognizing that lifestyle risks have a greater impact on women’s hearts is key to crafting strategies that effectively reduce cardiovascular disease. By focusing on women’s specific needs, we can address this global health issue more effectively, potentially saving many lives.
