Women’s Hearts: A Greater Burden of Lifestyle Risks

heart Health: Why Lifestyle Factors Hit Women Harder Than Men

new research presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual Scientific Session (ACC.25) reveals a striking insight: the same lifestyle and health factors linked to heart disease appear to exert a more potent influence on cardiovascular risk in women compared to men.

For years, we’ve understood the connection between diet, exercise, smoking, and blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. However,this groundbreaking study is the first to demonstrate that these associations,when considered collectively,carry a significantly greater weight for women. These findings suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach to cardiovascular risk assessment might be overlooking crucial sex-specific nuances,perhaps hindering efforts to encourage heart-healthy living.

“For the same level of health, our study shows that the increase in risk [related to each factor] is higher in women than in men — it’s not one-size-fits-all,” explained Maneesh Sud, MD, PhD, an assistant professor at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center in Toronto and the study’s lead author. “This is novel and somthing that hasn’t been seen in other studies.”

The complete study examined eight key factors associated with heart disease: diet, sleep, physical activity, smoking, body mass index (BMI), blood glucose levels, lipid profiles, and blood pressure. The analysis, which included data from over 175,000 Canadian adults who enrolled in the Ontario Health Study between 2009 and 2017, revealed that women generally presented with fewer negative risk factors and more positive ones when compared to men.However, the critical revelation was that women with a greater number of negative risk factors faced a considerably amplified chance of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular event than men with a similar risk factor profile.

“We found that women tend to have better health than men, but the impact on outcomes is different,” Dr. Sud elaborated.”The combination of these factors has a bigger impact in women than it does in men.”

The study participants, none of whom had heart disease at the outset, were categorized based on their health status across the eight risk factors – classifying them as having an “ideal,” “intermediate,” or “poor” risk factor profile. The follow-up period, spanning over 11 years, meticulously tracked the incidence of seven major heart disease outcomes, including heart attack, stroke, unstable angina, peripheral arterial disease, heart failure, coronary revascularization procedures, and cardiovascular death.

The data indicated a notable difference in health profiles between the sexes. A significantly higher percentage of women,9.1%, achieved an “ideal” health score across all eight factors, compared to only 4.8% of men. Conversely, men were more likely to fall into the “poor” health category, with 30.5% of men compared to 21.9% of women. While women were more likely to exhibit ideal levels for diet, blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure, they were slightly less likely than men to maintain ideal physical activity levels.

After adjusting for age, the study confirmed that both men and women with intermediate or poor health profiles faced an increased risk of heart disease.However, this elevated risk was demonstrably more pronounced in women. Women with poor health profiles exhibited nearly a five-fold increased risk of heart disease compared to women with ideal health. In contrast, men with poor health profiles had a 2.5-fold increased risk. similarly,women with intermediate health had 2.3 times the risk compared to their ideal health counterparts, while men in this category had a 1.6 times increased risk.

These findings underscore the critical need for tailored approaches to cardiovascular health. Understanding that lifestyle and health factors can disproportionately impact women’s heart health could pave the way for more effective screening strategies, personalized risk assessments, and targeted interventions that empower both women and men to prioritize heart-healthy habits.

What lifestyle factors disproportionately contribute to cardiovascular disease risk in women compared to men?

Understanding the Unique Cardiovascular Risks for Women

For decades, heart disease was often perceived as a “man’s disease.” This misconception has led to underdiagnosis and undertreatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. However, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the united States and globally. Crucially, the risk factors and presentation of symptoms can differ substantially between men and women.This article delves into the lifestyle risks that disproportionately affect women’s heart health, offering insights and actionable steps for prevention. we’ll explore heart health for women, female heart attack symptoms, and preventative cardiology.

The Impact of Hormonal Changes on Heart Health

A woman’s cardiovascular risk profile changes throughout her life,heavily influenced by hormonal shifts.

Menstruation: Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can impact blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Conditions like Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) can contribute to stress and unhealthy coping mechanisms, indirectly affecting heart health.

Pregnancy: Pregnancy places important strain on the cardiovascular system. Gestational diabetes and preeclampsia are pregnancy-related conditions that dramatically increase the long-term risk of heart disease.

Menopause: The decline in estrogen during menopause is a critical turning point. Estrogen offers some protective benefits to the heart,and its loss is associated with increased LDL (“bad”) cholesterol,decreased HDL (“good”) cholesterol,and weight gain – all contributing factors to coronary artery disease.Hormone therapy and its impact on heart health remains a complex topic requiring individualized discussion with a healthcare provider.

Post-Menopause: The risk of heart disease continues to rise post-menopause, making proactive lifestyle changes even more vital.

Lifestyle Factors Contributing to Heart Disease in Women

beyond hormonal influences,several lifestyle factors significantly elevate the risk of heart disease in women. These often intertwine and exacerbate each other.

Stress and Mental Health

Women are statistically more likely to experience anxiety and depression than men. Chronic stress triggers the release of cortisol, which can lead to:

1. Increased blood pressure
2. Elevated cholesterol levels
3. Inflammation – a key driver of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries)
4. Unhealthy coping mechanisms like overeating, smoking, or physical inactivity.

Prioritizing stress management techniques – mindfulness,yoga,meditation,therapy – is crucial for women’s cardiovascular wellness.

Diet and Nutrition

Poor dietary habits are a major contributor to heart disease. Common pitfalls include:

High intake of processed foods: These are often loaded with sodium, unhealthy fats, and added sugars.

Low intake of fruits and vegetables: These provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that protect the heart.

Excessive sugar consumption: Linked to obesity, inflammation, and increased risk of diabetes.

Unhealthy fats: Saturated and trans fats raise LDL cholesterol.

A heart-healthy diet emphasizes whole grains, lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats (like those found in avocados, nuts, and olive oil). Consider the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) or the Mediterranean diet for proven benefits.

Physical Inactivity

Regular physical activity is a cornerstone of heart health. Lack of exercise contributes to:

Obesity

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Insulin resistance

Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week. Incorporate strength training exercises at least twice a week to build muscle mass and improve metabolism. Exercise for heart health is a preventative measure that yields significant returns.

Smoking and Alcohol Consumption

Smoking: Damages blood vessels, raises blood pressure, and reduces oxygen levels in the blood. It’s a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.

Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Can lead to high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), and heart failure. Moderate alcohol consumption (up to one drink per day for women) may have some benefits, but it’s not recommended for everyone.

Recognizing Atypical Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Women frequently enough experience heart attack symptoms differently than men. While chest pain is still the most common symptom, women are more likely